Q&A with ANHC

Today I called ANHC to interview the staff about the center and what it is like to provide care to the underserved. I spoke with someone named Jennifer, and here is what she told me... (Responses are paraphrased.)

1. How does someone become a patient at ANHC?

Anyone can become a patient at ANHC. All they have to do is schedule an appointment over the phone.

2. How many patients do you serve in a typical year?

Last year, ANHC saw 5,000 patients between the two centers. Overall, there were 12,000 encounters which averages to two visits per patients. ANHC often sees patients more than once a year. (Possibly indicative of their follow up care?)

3. Has the center been able to extend clinic hours since it received the HRSA grant? How has that affected patient experiences? 

Yes. On Tuesdays, we are now open until 7pm. This gives patients the opportunity to come in after work and for children to come in without missing school. We hope to expand more, but it is only our first year with the federal grant. 

4. Do you make specialty referrals? Where do patients go to seek care?

Yes--they go to specialty physicians in surrounding counties and cities such as Gainesville, Gwinnett, Augusta. This is because Athens physicians do not take Medicare or Medicaid patients. Uninsured patients are also referred, but they must pay out-of-pocket fees to the specialist upfront. These fees range from $300-$500. 

5. How is the center expanding?

We are finishing our first year as an FQHC, so we must spend a lot of time on paperwork and staff training. We hope to expand more in the future, especially in terms of staff and extending clinic hours. We would like to extend specialty services, but it is our first year with the grant.

6. How do you collaborate with other providers in the safety net?

We refer patients to other centers like Mercy and Athens Nurses Clinic.

7. What is the biggest challenge to running a health center?

Securing the funds to ensure the appropriate staff and support staff

Athens Neighborhood Health Center

Athens Neighborhood Health Center (ANHC) is Athens's version of a community health center (CHC). The clinic opened in 1971 with a grant from the federal government. 

ANHC has two facilities located near downtown Athens: McKinely and College. It offers primary care medicine for adults and children, health education, and immunizations. Beyond physical care, ANHC also provides for the mental health of their patients. The center partners with a local organization called Advantage Behavioral Health Systems to offer behavioral and mental health services onsite a few times a week.

ANHC has a rocky history of grant funding and defunding. Though it was founded on federal money, the center was defunded in the 1980s (not much information about this online, but most probably due to politics...). Until this past year, ANHC was not recognized as a federally qualified health center, an omission that prevented them from receiving much-needed federal dollars to stay afloat. Instead, it received most of its financial support from the local Athens government as well as United Way. On average, ANHC received $100,000 per fiscal year from these sources and operates "in the red." 

In 2012, ANHC was recognized as a federally-qualified health center (FQHC) as a result of the hard work of many people in the community, including health care workers, clinic staff, and some students. In March 2013, it received a $650,000 grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), a branch within the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Here's what Dr. Diane Dunston and the ANHC staff plan on doing with all of that money:

1. Extend center's evening hours--ANHC hours are currently 8:30am-4:15pm; however, many of their patients must work during those hours. Extending the operating times will increase access to those who need care.

2. Expand staff--ANHC has two facilities and are in greater need of nurses, doctors, counselors than space. They plan on increasing care by hiring more staff. Also, ANHC is partnered with the National Health Service Corp, which places recent medical school grads to practice in underserved areas. 

3. Lowering the costs of medication--grant money will be used to make medications more affordable for low-income patients.

4. Transportation--ANHC hopes to help patients with transportation so that they can make their appointments.

This week, I will be interviewing (hopefully!!) a staff member at ANHC to find out more about the following questions..... stay tuned!

1. How does someone become at patient at ANHC? 

2. How many patients do you serve in a typical year?

3. Has the center been able to extend clinic hours since it received the HRSA grant? How has that affected patient experiences?

4. Do you make specialty referrals? If so, where do patients go to seek care?

5. Do you collaborate with other organizations in the safety net, ie. Mercy Health Center or Athens Nurses Clinic?

5. What is the biggest challenge to running a health center?

6. Anything you would like for your patients to know? Any final comments?