The Rockbridge Area Health Center transitioned to a community health center in February 2014 to provide increased access to health services to more residents in our area. In addition to providing comprehensive primary health care services, the RAHC offers specialty care, dental and mental health services, as well as supportive services that include medication assistance, nutrition education, translation services, care coordination and case management, transportation, 24 hour nurse assistance and outreach activities to insured, uninsured, Medicaid and Medicare patients.
Mission. The mission of the Rockbridge Area Health Center is to promote and provide access to comprehensive, high quality and affordable health care to improve the health and well-being of our community.
Vision. The vision of the Rockbridge Area Health Center is to serve as a vital and caring Rockbridge area resource promoting and providing access to quality health care to build a healthier community.
RAHC served over 5,900 patients by the end of 2018 and with over 18,000 patient visits. A community health needs assessment completed in 2012 identified a chief health priority to expand access to health services. The Rockbridge area is a Medically Underserved Area. Findings from the needs assessment include:
[1]American Community Survey, 5-Year Estimates, US Census Bureau, 2006-2010
[2]Virginia Atlas of Community Health, 2011
Absolutely.
RAHC is a key safety net for many and is able to provide a medical home to Medicaid recipients. Increasingly, fewer primary providers in the community are accepting Medicaid patients.
The expansion of Medicaid allows individuals with incomes of up to 138% of the federal poverty level to receive health insurance through the Medicaid program, and is roviding new coverage for 400,000 Virginians.
Findings from the community health needs assessment of the Rockbridge area included the following:
Medicaid expansion will not apply to everyone, especially to the country’s working poor and there are those who make too much in wages to be eligible.
No.
RAHC is meeting the healthcare needs of the community’s most vulnerable residents. Insured patients and those with higher incomes that use services provided by RAHC actually support the provision of services to the uninsured and underinsured by contributing to the fiscal health of the organization.
Expanding and strengthening the health center further reduces health disparities, increases access to high quality and regular care and boosts the local economy. As a result, fewer people would rely on costly sources of care, thereby saving tax payers significantly and making the overall health care system more efficient. Health Centers are good public investments that generate substantial benefits for patients, communities, insurers and governments.
Sustainability begins with providing accessible services the community needs in terms of services offered and the appropriate physical space necessary to provide those services efficiently and effectively. Typically, as community health centers mature, the portion of their budget represented by federal funding decreases. RAHC focuses on maximizing capacity from existing resources. This includes addressing workforce needs, increasing productivity, and improving operations and care delivery. Expanding internal capacity by addressing healthcare gaps in the community such as dental care, pediatric and women’s health care will support future sustainability. Expanding pediatric services will lead to many more visits. Well-child checks recommend eight visits in the child’s first year of life. There are an additional three well-child checks recommended from the age of one to two years of age. This does not consider pediatric sick-visits. Because children tend to be insured more than persons age 21 and older, the vast majority of these visits will be reimbursable by insurance (private insurance or Medicaid). Marketing to and expanding women’s care at RAHC will also lead to increased visits. A 2014 study found that women make 80% of the health care decisions for their family[1].
[1]Sabrina Matoff- Stepp, PhD, et. al. Women as Health Care Decision-Makers: Implications for Health Care
Coverage in the United States, Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved 25 (2014): 1507–1513.
[1]Sabrina Matoff- Stepp, PhD, et. al. Women as Health Care Decision-Makers: Implications for Health Care
No.
Multiple primary care specialties including medical, dental and behavioral health provide patients with a holistic, single source of care. The ability to provide and manage patient care across these in-house services is associated with lower health care costs and improved patient outcomes. Each specialty carries its own unique space needs. Emerging models of care are placing increasing emphasis on patient education and group programs that help patients manage their health. The cost of the new 28,000-sq. ft. RAHC facility is consistent with the cost of new community health center buildings in our region over the last six years and their respective patient populations including the Harrisonburg Community Health Center (2012), the New Horizons Health Center in Roanoke (2012) and the Blue Ridge Medical Center in Nelson County (2011).
The Health Center does not receive any state mandated funds. It is a private, nonprofit, 501 c 3 corporation that grew from a recognized need within the Rockbridge community. Community health centers tailor the services provided to meet the unique needs of the community in which they are located.