Within the broader health care industry, the Federally-Qualified Health Center (CHC) Model is unique in its ability to tailor services to the specific needs of the communities served. Of the 1,250 CHCs providing care for more than 25 million people in the United States, no two CHCs are the same or provide precisely the same services and benefits. This enables community members like you to receive the quality care you deserve, tailored to you in culturally appropriate ways.
What Distinguishes CHCs from Other Clinics:
- CHCs do not turn anyone away based on their ability to pay for care. These clinics are part of the public health safety net and are designed to treat all patients, regardless of their ability to pay.
- You can receive care regardless of immigration status. We are committed to serving Washington state’s vibrant, diverse communities, and your immigration status will in no way impact your health or safety at our CHCs.
In Washington, CHCs have a long history of providing culturally relevant, comprehensive whole person care across the entire state. Our statewide network of 20 CHCs operates 139 clinics and works with more than 2,700 primary care providers, 14,900 medical specialists, and 7,500 behavioral health specialists. This combination of breadth and depth enables our CHCs to tailor their health services to meet the unique needs of the communities they serve.
Depending on the location, these tailored services could include:
- Behavioral health counseling
- Substance abuse disorder treatment
- Intravenous drug user (IVDU) harm reduction programs
- Preventive and restorative dental care
- Obstetrics and women’s care
- Maternity support services and midwifery
- Hormone therapy for transgender and gender non-conforming people
- Interpretation services
- Nutrition services
- Acupuncture
- Endocrinology
- And more!
