Table 2.

Descriptive Characteristics of the Five Health Centers

Bluegrass Community Health CenterHolyoke Health Center, Inc.Salina Family Healthcare CenterSalud Family Health CentersYakima Valley Farm Worker's Clinic
LocationMidwestNortheastMidwestWestPacific Northwest
Sites (n)2611018
Dental ServicesNoYesYesYesYes
Total patients served (n)6,15519,0389,68169,601127,950
Patients living at or below 200% of the federal poverty line (%)98.736*85.792.793.1
Cost per patient per year ($)695.042034.94943.54810.751,026.12
  • Source: Health center data came from 2014 Health Center Profiles, which are publically available at http://bphc.hrsa.gov/uds/datacenter.aspx? q = d.

  • * The proportion of patients living at or below 200% of the federal poverty line reported in the Uniform Data System (UDS) for Holyoke Health Center, Inc., was 36% and seemed to be an outlier. As such, additional data were collected directly from Holyoke Health Center, which suggested that 96% of patients were living below 200% of the federal poverty line. For the purpose of consistency and to reduce biases between data sources, UDS data re reported in this table.

  • Holyoke Health Center confirmed the high cost per patient per year was a result of the more comprehensive dental care it provides compared with other federally qualified health centers (FQHCs). Holyoke Health Center reported having on staff 1.5 full-time equivalents of an oral surgeon and providing endodontic and periodontal services not generally provided at other FQHCs.