Differences in Health Care Utilization of High Need and High Cost Patients of Federally Funded Health Centers Versus Other Primary Care Providers
What does this study add? The study highlights differences in health care utilization among high-cost, high-need Medicaid beneficiaries who receive primary health care at health centers versus other primary care settings. Patients of HRSA-funded health centers received equal or more primary care compared to their non-health center counterparts while also having fewer specialty care, emergency room, and hospital visits.
What are the implications for the Health Center Program? The Health Center Program has the potential to reduce costly healthcare burden among high-cost, high need Medicaid beneficiaries through high quality care.