FQHCs – Essential Providers that Need New Technology

Since 1965, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) have played a pivotal role in the primary goals of the Affordable Care Act, extending quality care to underserved communities. 

This role has been magnified in the ongoing pandemic with FQHCs becoming community COVID-19 testing sites. COVID-19 hasn’t diminished the goals of FQHCs to provide comprehensive, high-quality healthcare services to all, but the pandemic highlighted its vulnerabilities in providing continual care.

A Strained System

In the wake of the pandemic, FQHCs experienced patients missing out on vital routine care while patient volumes dropped. But there are still a few bright spots.

COVID-19 accelerated the need for new technology at FQHCs to address bottlenecks such as:

• Workflow inefficiencies: In a pandemic, when staff is short-handed and there are tight restrictions in place to reduce virus transmission, the old manual workflows are no longer sufficient, and weigh on already-strained staff.
• Non-responsive solutions: Manual processes that require a 1:1 ratio of staff member to patient for appointment scheduling, registration, or check-in can be difficult for FQHCs in a pandemic. 
• Sufficiently serving diverse populations: Being able to meet the needs of patients new to FQHCs due to recent economic or employment challenges, or patients who rely on a language other than English can be particularly challenging when waiting rooms and visitors are restricted and staff is stretched thin.

Clearwave is Well-Positioned to Offer Solutions to FQHCs

Clearwave allows FQHCs to stay patient-focused, even in difficult times. Clearwave solutions include being able to establish a digital front door with scheduling directly on your website or portal, virtual waiting rooms and Zero-Contact Check-In. Clearwave’s automated eligibility verification helps FQHCs with the most complex insurance requirements, and checks primary, secondary and tertiary coverage up to seven times before an appointment to relieve staff – and flags managed care coordinators prior to treatment. Clearwave also helps FQHCs to collect data quickly and efficiently from walk-in appointments and gathers vital, robust data that facilitates funding applications with real-time statistics at any time. 

The rapid onset of COVID-19 has compelled prompt changes to traditional methods of care delivery in FQHCs. Clearwave understands the challenges faced by FQHCs and delivers a suite of tools to help you support effective healthcare delivery.

Embrace Contact-Free Technology

Clearwave enables patients and FQHCs to remain connected. By offering digital technologies that are easily scalable, compatible, and configurable, Clearwave is the easiest solution for FQHCs to stay safe while continuing to care for patients. 

Want to learn more about how Clearwave works with FQHCs? Download our eBook that details the Top 6 Trends Impacting FQHCs in 2021 to find out more!