A report released Thursday by the Missouri Hospital Association (MHA) along with the Missouri Primary Care Association details both the many challenges and opportunities for collaborations between the state’s hospitals and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) that will be necessary due to the promises of health reform and the changing healthcare environment.
“Hospitals need to prepare for shifts in the health delivery system, including more collaboration between providers,” said MHA President and CEO Herb Kuhn in a written statement. “The report examines successful practices between hospitals and FQHCs already in place in Missouri communities and provides a starting point for additional dialogue and emulation of best practices.”
It was found within the report that the collaboration between rural hospitals and FQHCs might not be as developed as in urban areas. According to the report, the culture and mindset of competition for resources and patients in rural areas is very ingrained.
"...Some hospitals overestimate the value of the federal incentives that FQHCs receive and believe that FQHCs should only serve the uninsured or only provide dental and behavioral health services. On the other hand, some FQHCs discount the value of rural health centers run by rural hospitals and believe the RHCs' financial incentives exceed their own. In addition, there are incentives for FQHCs to expand into small communities regardless of current access points such as RHCs. The creation of additional service delivery sites in outlying communities has consistently caused issues for hospitals and FQHCs,” the report stated.
Within the report, the MHA suggested several ways for hospitals and FQHCs to improve their relationships including using community or regional health councils. Other strategies to improve the relationships include providing education for hospitals leaders about FQHCs’ financing and roles in the healthcare system, providing education for FQHC leaders about the roles and missions of rural hospitals, and encouraging site visits by others to learn about each organization’s service niche and functions.
Follow HFN Associate Editor Kelsey Brimmer on Twitter @kbrimmerhfn.