NUHEALTH’S FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS DESIGNATED AS A FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTER (FQHC) LOOK-ALIKE BY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, FIRST SUCH DESIGNATION ON LONG ISLAND, WITH ONLY SEVEN IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 22, 2010
PRESS CONTACT:
Shelley Lotenberg
shelley@numc.edu
516-572-6055
NUHEALTH’S FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS DESIGNATED AS A FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTER (FQHC) LOOK-ALIKE BY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, FIRST SUCH DESIGNATION ON LONG ISLAND, WITH ONLY SEVEN IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK
FULFILLMENT OF DREAM BY HEALTHCARE ADVOCATES OVER TWO DECADES, TO PROVIDE GREATER HEALTH ACCESS FOR 33 MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IN NASSAU COUNTY
FQHC STATUS WILL HELP BETTER ADDRESS THE HEALTH NEEDS OF THE UNDERSERVED POPULATION, ENHANCE SERVICES, EXPANDED HOURS OF OPERATION AS NEEDED, PARTICIPATE IN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MALPRACTICE INSURANCE PROGRAMS, OBTAIN 340B REDUCED PRESCRIPTION PRICING, AND RESPOND TO INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN FEDERAL PROGRAMS TO FQHC
East Meadow, NY…Arthur A. Gianelli, President/CEO of the NuHealth System, proudly announced that the NuHealth’s Family Health Centers had achieved Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike designation by the United States Department of Health and Humans Services, the first such designation on Long Island, with only seven in the state of New York. The NuHealth System operates Family Health Centers in the communities of Hempstead, Roosevelt/Freeport, Elmont and Westbury/New Cassel.
“Last July, the NuHealth board of directors unanimously approved a co-applicant agreement with the Long Island Federally Qualified Health Center board, to become the first and only FQHC on Long Island, an important step required prior to achieving Look-Alike status. It is wonderful news, as this designation fulfills a dream of healthcare advocates who have pressed over the last two decades, to provide greater access for the 33 medically underserved communities in Nassau County,” said Gianelli. “This designation will help address the health needs of vulnerable populations, enhance services, hours of operation, obtain 340B reduced prescription pricing, quality improvement through governance by a local community board, with consumers having a significant role, giving us also the ability to participate in the federal malpractice programs.”
Reflecting the federal requirements for a “Co-Applicant Consumer Board” the LIFQHC had formed an incorporated, non-profit, organization. The board presently consists of 13 members, 7 of whom receive primary care at one of the Family Health Centers, the remaining 6 are leaders of the regional non-profit community. With respect to Medicaid coverage and payment, the effective date for enhanced reimbursements is as of June 15, 2010.
Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act authorizes grants to the Health Centers that provide comprehensive, preventative and primary care to federally designated underserved areas. In recognition of the fact that most public entities are not, and legally cannot, be governed by a consumer directed board, Congress amended the statute in 1978 to authorize the DHHS to expand up to five percent (5%) of the annual Section 330 appropriation, in support of public health centers with governing boards that do not fully exercise all of the required authorities. In order to qualify, the applicant must be a private non-profit organization or a public entity (i.e., NHCC) and must have a consumer-directed board of directors that meet specific requirements with respect to board member selection and composition and that exercises board policy and oversight authorities.
A member of the NHCC management team, James D. Senterfitt, NHCC, Executive Vice President of Ambulatory Services, Managed Care and Network Development, who has recently spent time consulting with some of the country’s leading FQHC organizations, remarks: “This exciting development moves NHCC forward in our goal with the community based and service organizations by forging a public/private partnership with the LIFQHC, ensuring that community needs, perspective and input are maintained.”
Lee B. Raifman, Executive Director of the LIFQHC, Inc., stated: “We are very proud to be the first FQHC on all of Long Island, presenting us with a new opportunity to better serve our communities and execute our overall mission for our health system. Our four Family Health Centers will become one under the LIFQHC license and I look forward to the unique opportunity that we have been afforded.” Raifman went on to add: “In working closely with the board and with the support of the NuHealth System, we will be better able to address the needs of the communities and become recognized as the premier ambulatory program on Long Island.”
ABOUT NUHEALTH
NuHealth is a Long Island Health Care Organization delivering essential medical care and disease and lifestyle management to everyone at every stage of life. Also known as Nassau Health Care Corporation, NuHealth is a public benefit corporation managing the operations of Nassau University Medical Center, A. Holly Patterson Extended Care and a network of Family Health Centers that bring primary and specialty care out into the community. By emphasizing wellness, cultural sensitivity and collaborative efforts with the North Shore-LIJ Health System, NuHealth is working to make good care more affordable and easier to access.
For more information about NuHealth or its Centers of Care, visit www.nuhealth.net.