Health Care Partners of South Carolina is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC)
As a FQHC, Health Care Partners of South Carolina has met strict guidelines established by the Federal Bureau of Primary Health Care. These guidelines require that we provide care to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay.
FQHCs help increase access to crucial primary care by reducing barriers such as cost, lack of insurance, distance, and language for their patients. We are part of a vital safety net in the nation’s health care delivery system.
- Health centers are important safety net providers in rural areas.
- Today the network of FQHCs nationwide is growing. More than 1400 health centers across the country serve more than 31 million patients each year.
- 1 in 11 Americans are health center patients.
- Health centers employ well over 300,000 including many of our nation’s veterans.
- This health center is a Health Center Program grantee under 42 U.S.C. 254b, and a deemed Public Health Service employee under 42 U.S.C. 233(g)-(n).
In order to qualify for federal support as a health center, an organization must:
- Offer services to all persons, regardless of the person’s ability to pay.
- Establish a sliding fee discount program.
- Be a nonprofit or public organization.
- Be community-based, with the majority of their governing board of directors composed of their patients.
- Serve a medically underserved area or population.
- Provide comprehensive primary care services.
- Have an ongoing quality assurance program.
Federally Qualified Health Centers are eligible to:
- Receive enhanced reimbursement (payment) from Medicare and Medicaid.
- Participate in the 340B Program that allows us to purchase prescription drugs at reduced prices.
- Have access to vaccines through the Vaccines for Children Program.
- Have access to medical malpractice insurance through the Federal Tort Claims Act which lowers our cost of operation.
