Spring Branch Community Health Center

Results: For sixteen years, SBCHC has been committed to increasing access to high-quality, comprehensive healthcare for the underinsured and uninsured in West Houston. Last year, 95.3 % of SBCHC patients reported income below the 200% Federal Poverty Level (FPL) when including self-pay patients and patients with unreported income. In 2019, Over 50% of SBCHC’s patients did not have health insurance coverage or were self-pay or “walk-in” visits. Last year, SBCHC served 20,089 patients, including 186 patients who identified as homeless and 6,856 residents of public housing. SBCHC accepts patients of all income levels and insurance types to remove common barriers to accessing healthcare services that lead to healthcare disparities disproportionately affecting low-income populations. SBCHC registered 66,768 patient visits in 2019 while experiencing 6.63% increase in patient attendance. SBCHC was also recertified in 2019 by both HRSA and The Joint Commission for achieving outstanding levels of quality care. Of 20,089 patients served 9,859 lived below the 200% FPL, and 10,415, (over 50%) were served better in a language other than English. SBCHC saw 780 infants and 7,217 total patients under 18. SBCHC served 9,033 patients in 2019 with no medical insurance, 6,846 with Medicaid/ CHIP/ or other public insurance, and 593 on Medicare. In 2019, approximately 45% of SBCHC’s patients were under the age of 25 with 3,659 (18.21%) of those patients reporting as uninsured or self-pay; out of a total 100% patients seen – 13% were ages 0-5, 9% were ages 6-11, 6% were ages 12-15 and 19% were ages 16- 24. SBCHC has expanded community education and often gives back to the community offering free goods, nutritious foods, and low-cost or no-cost medical services.

Target demographics: Low-Income, Uninsured and Medically Underserved Patients

Direct beneficiaries per year: 20,089 unique patients

Geographic areas served: Houston, Texas

Programs: Sixteen years ago, a coalition of community supporters established SBCHC taking strategic action to reduce area health-care disparities. The clinic opened May 2004 and by 2005 was designated a Federally Qualified Health Center (“FQHC”). SBCHC provides culturally competent, linguistically appropriate, patient-centered health care. SBCHC is the primary FQHC within 200 square miles of West Houston area providing comprehensive medical, dental, and behavioral health services to low-income and uninsured patients regardless of their ability to pay. Since 2010, SBCHC has focused on building diverse patient bases, expanding community partnership networks, and opening four new clinics. In December 2012, SBCHC joined the elite 10% of national FQHCs that hold both Joint Commission Gold Seal Accreditation and Patient Centered Medical Home (“PCMH”) certifications. In 2019, SBCHC hired more providers, expanded our free health programs, and attended over 100 community events via our mobile health unit to increase access to health care services for those in need. SBCHC services include preventative care, primary care, pediatrics, pediatric dentistry, general dentistry, , internal medicine, adult diabetes management, cancer screenings, pregnancy testing, full OB/GYN services, laboratory services, vaccinations, and free health education. Licensed Behavioral Health specialists provide counseling for grief, PTSD, domestic violence, sexual violence, anxiety, depression, and offer integrated approaches to addiction recovery. SBCHC increases access to high quality, comprehensive healthcare for low-income families with or without insurance coverage in Spring Branch and West Houston. Last year 95% of SBCHC patients were below the 200% poverty line (FPL @23,540/yr.). In 2019, SBCHC realized an organizational goal by serving more unique patients than ever, 20,089 Houston residents. In addition to clinic services, SBCHC’ Health Programs Department offers patients a variety of opportunities to receive low-cost or no-cost healthcare services and free health education . SBCHC offers screenings for breast cancer, colon cancer, and skin cancer to qualifying patients at no cost. SBCHC also offers Becoming a Mom/Comenzando Bien®- free prenatal education materials from the March of Dimes®. SBCHC provides smoking cessation counseling with free nicotine replacement therapy to established patients in collaboration with a MD Anderson Cancer Center. SBCHC participates in Reach Out and Read® a program providing children free books during pediatric checkups. SBCHC has also collaborated with a variety of organizations to join the fight against obesity and diabetes. SBCHC offers free diabetes management classes and access to free healthy foods via The Houston Food Bank Food Rx program. The University of Houston visits SBCHC's clinics for discounted optometry screenings with a focus on diabetic retinopathy. Program plans for 2019 include expanding dental education outreach, more frequent food distributions in collaboration with the Houston Food Bank, and increased participation in school and church health fairs via SBCHC's Mobile Health Unit. Programs are primarily designed to help low-income and uninsured patients with a focus on creating safety nets for women, children and the elderly. SBCHC offers services to all who seek them and leverages program participation to offer increased access to care for the community’s most vulnerable members.