The after-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic mean an even greater need for innovations that make our workforce more efficient, while maintaining a high quality of care. Community health centers can lead the way in building a community-based continuum of care that can change how we deliver services to patients in need.
In order to build a community-based continuum of care that can change how we deliver services underserved populations, health centers need more sophisticated analytics that recognize health outcomes and operational excellence, as well as tools that can drive innovation.
Innovation is constantly striving to improve care for patients at federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), in new and ground-breaking ways.
Innovation makes the care experience better for patients, providers, and families.
Innovation can make clinical care more patient centric – from the process of scheduling appointments to accessing care via telehealth, to receiving regular reminders of timely care.
Innovation can streamline a patient’s access to medicines, through mail order and central fill pharmacies.
Invest in telehealth, remote patient monitoring, and other digital tools that increase access to care. Institute permanent, adequate reimbursement under Medicare and Medicaid for telehealth, including audio-only services, remote patient monitoring, and other tools that enhance patient care. Provide safe harbor from anti-kickback laws for health centers assisting patients with technology costs.
Invest in health center initiatives that expand use of artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies. Help community health centers explore and pilot the use of AI in the delivery of care.
Eliminate policy barriers to federally qualified health centers delivering specialty care. HRSA and federal payers should work with leading FQHCs to promote expansion into specialty care delivery.
Recognize and encourage patient-centered and climate resilient facility design. Prioritize infrastructure investments to incentivize facility design that improves patient experience.
Continue to develop and evaluate programs to improve health literacy. Support and advance the most successful efforts to build and measure patient health literacy.