Overview

• The Providence Community Health Centers (PCHC) is the only Federally Qualified Heath Center (FQHC) in Providence, Rhode Island. Providence is the third largest city in New England, and PCHC currently serves almost one in four city residents. Rhode Island does not have any county or city health departments, and our state health department does not offer any direct patient care services. Rhode Island does not have an official “City” Hospital.
• PCHC employs 550 full-time and part-time employees who are highly skilled, compassionate, and represent a culturally-diverse workforce that is committed to improving the health status of the community.
• PCHC is a leading economic engine in Providence, contributing to the city’s economy and community redevelopment; while also providing substantial employment opportunities to local residents, many of whom come from the communities in which the health centers are located.
• Only 13% of the Providence Community Health Centers’ budget comes from Federal 330 grant support, and PCHC receives no direct financial support from the City of Providence.

Population Served

• In 2019, PCHC provided care to 60,000 patients with a total of 199,630 patient visits.
• PCHC has 19,692 patients under the age of nineteen years old. 90% of PCHC patients are at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, even though some work full time. 10% of PCHC patients are uninsured.
• For over 51 years PCHC has been responding to the health care needs of the Providence community, helping to serve entire families.
• PCHC services patients from all across the City of Providence and surrounding communities.

PCHC Growth

• In the past ten years, PCHC patient panel has grown from 36,000 to over 49,000.
• PCHC visits increased from 149,259 to 199,630 in the same ten year period.
• PCHC Dental at Prairie Avenue has expanded from18 to 22 dental chairs and PCHC recently received an Oral Health Expansion Grant enabling the addition of adult dental coverage.

Collaborations

• PCHC works hand in hand with the Rhode Island Health Center Association on issues affecting health centers statewide as well as federally.
• PCHC has a very strong relationship with The Providence Center, the largest behavioral health center in the State.
• PCHC works with local hospitals to give our patients a strong continuum of care.
• PCHC is a member of, and works with, the National Association of Community Health Centers.
• PCHC participates in a Medicare Accountable Care Organization (ACO) with our partners at HCN in Florida, the only one of its kind in the state, called Health Care Choice.

Local Board Control

• PCHC is an IRS recognized (501)C(3) non-profit organization.
• PCHC is governed by a local 13 member Board of Directors, of which over 51% are patients of PCHC.
• While PCHC does collaborate with State and local agencies, hospitals and community partners, PCHC’s Board of Directors is the entity that is entirely responsible for the organization’s overall operation, management, and control.

Implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)

• In the fall of 2013, the Providence Community Health Centers had a team of “navigators” assisting the community with enrollment and obtaining health insurance through the ACA which began across the nation in January 2014. Through education and outreach efforts, PCHC has led the State in enrolling and assisting patients, and continues to play a major role in the community.