Providence, KY – Health First is excited to announce reduced fees for their Sliding Fee Scale Program. The new nominal fees now include the office visit, laboratory and radiology services.
“These changes are big for our patients and communities that we serve. We are proud to work as a community partner to improve access to care and improve the overall health of the community,” says CEO Shelley Gobin.
Mid-year, Health First formed a patient advisory council to gain valuable insight and feedback on programs and services offered at the health center. There were four areas in which the council focused on: 1) Sliding Fee Scale Program, 2) Community Awareness, 3) Customer Service, and 4) Accessibility. The main goal for the Sliding Fee Scale Program was to determine if the current fees were a barrier to care.
After much research from our patients, staff and other FQHCs, it became the vision of both the Board of Directors and Administration, to make changes to our sliding fee schedule to ensure that the cost was not a barrier to any patient seeking or receiving care. Effective November 1st, new slide fees were approved for patients qualifying for the Sliding Fee Scale Program. The new prices are as follows: Class A- $10, Class B- $15, Class C- $20, and Class D- $25. Along with the changes to the slide fee schedule, we have worked with our laboratory and radiology partners to provide donated services to patients who qualify for the Sliding Fee Scale Program. The health center will pay a monthly flat rate to ensure that patients can receive the laboratory and radiology services that they need.
The sliding fee scale program is a discount program for eligible patients which is based on income and household size. The purpose of this program is to ensure that all patients have access to affordable primary care services, regardless of their financial status. Income guidelines are based on the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPL). Proof of income is required on all household members over the age of 18 to determine which sliding fee scale will be assigned to each patient. Patients must complete the health center’s self-declare or sliding fee discount application to qualify for the program. To determine your eligibility or for more information contact our outreach department at 1 (877) 667-7017 or visit our website HealthFirstCHC.net. Health First continues to offer medication assistance programs to help patients overcome financial barriers and receive medications that are vital to their health.
