DALLAS – December 13, 2024 – Prism Health North Texas (PHNTX) is proud to announce its designation as a Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike (FQHC-LAL). This significant milestone marks a crucial step in increasing access to high quality primary care services in North Texas, a community that continues to face challenges related to healthcare accessibility and adverse health outcomes.
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) are critical in addressing health inequities across the United States, providing care to more than 29 million Americans regardless of their ability to pay, offering a sliding fee scale based on household income. FQHCs also provide access to a wide variety of patient assistance programs, making healthcare more affordable and accessible for underserved populations. The Look-Alike Health Centers are FQHC organizations that meet
the requirements of the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) Health Center Program but do not receive additional federal funding. As Look-Alike organizations bolster their
health offerings, strengthen systems, and expand patient populations, they strive towards the full FQHC designation which allows them to receive more funding specifically delegated to these organizations by the federal government.
The designation as an FQHC-LAL is a testament to PHNTX’s commitment to providing
comprehensive and affordable healthcare services to underserved populations. A lack of primary care services has been a persistent issue in many parts of Dallas County, leading to
increased hospitalizations, higher rates of chronic diseases, and poorer health outcomes overall. By becoming an FQHC-LAL, PHNTX will expand its capacity to address these disparities and ensure that more individuals receive the preventive and ongoing care they need.
“We began during the HIV/AIDS crisis, but thankfully HIV care is much more successful today, enabling us to expand and serve a broader population,” says Dr. John T. Carlo, MD, Chief Executive Officer of PHNTX. “FQHC-LAL status enables us to increase access to essential services for more of those living in Dallas County, ensuring that we continue to serve both the
communities most affected by HIV and those with a wider range of health needs.”
Prism Health North Texas was founded in 1986 at the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis, originally established to provide care and support for individuals affected by the crisis. Matching the evolution of the HIV/AIDS crisis, PHNTX has expanded its services in recent years to include a comprehensive array of healthcare offerings, utilizing proven methods to achieve optimal patient outcomes in primary care. The organization currently operates 11 locations throughout North Texas that provide primary care, behavioral health, dental care and pharmacy services. These locations facilitate the success of a comprehensive approach to ensure that patients receive holistic care tailored to their unique needs.
New service lines now available to those in need of healthcare include women’s health and
pediatric primary care, both available at the recently reorganized South Dallas Health Center. The women’s health services available include well-woman exams, family planning, perimenopause and menopause treatment, treatment for conditions including PCOS and endometriosis, and primary care and chronic condition treatment. Pediatric patients may access annual check-ups, sick visits, immunizations, developmental screenings, school and sports physicals, chronic disease management and specialist referrals.
PHNTX also offers pediatric and adult dental care through its three dental practices, and
pharmacy services including no-cost delivery options through its three pharmacies. Prevention
is a key component of all of PHNTX’s services and practices, and with expanded access to these areas of healthcare through the organization, PHNTX hopes to address barriers including
cost and confusion about insurance coverage for populations in need.
“Our mission has always been to promote health equity and ensure that every person has access to care they need and deserve,” says Dr. Carlo. “As an FQHC-LAL serving Dallas County, we will work to meet folks where they are, build trust in our system, provide high quality health care tailored to each individual’s needs through the development of longstanding
relationships with providers, and offer a medical home for the whole family.”
About Prism Health North Texas: Prism Health North Texas opened services in 1986 during the HIV/AIDS crisis in North Texas, through an initial grant by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Formed as AIDS Arms Network out of the Communities Foundation of Texas, PHNTX for the past 38 years has served the critical role of connecting people living with HIV to care and services in the area. PHNTX evolved to be a nationally recognized leader in delivering high-quality HIV and sexual health services, most recently expanding services to address the alarming rise in sexually transmitted infections in Dallas County and North Texas.
PHNTX is committed to providing healthcare for all North Texans in a non-judgmental and affirming environment. The organization strives to remove the barriers that prevent any individual from accessing quality healthcare. PHNTX\ stands for health equity, especially for marginalized populations including people living with HIV, LGBTQIA+, and ethnic minorities. Every individual has the right to affordable, accessible health care and the opportunity to attain their highest level of health.
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