Federally funded health centers: Funding increases and costs, 2010-2012, New York City, New York State and nationwide

Background:

The federal government provides grants to certain ambulatory care facilities, known as Section 330 grantees (sometimes referred to as community health centers or federally qualified health centers). They are community-based, non-profit health centers that provide comprehensive primary care services to medically underserved areas or populations. These centers cannot refuse patients on the basis of insurance status or ability to pay and thus form an essential part of the New York City (NYC) health care safety net. 

Methods:

We used publicly available data from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration website on Section 330 grantees at the grantee, state and national levels to analyze funding and costs per patient.

Results:

From 2010 to 2012, Section 330 grants in NYC, New York State (NYS) and nationally increased 21%, 17% and 18% respectively. Over the same time period, total patients served in NYC, NYS and nationally increased 14%, 12% and 8% respectively and total costs per patient increased 12%, 13% and 9% respectively. Although total costs per patient were higher in NYC ($935) than in NYS overall ($797) or nationwide ($687), Section 330 grant funds per patient were lower in NYC and NYS than nationally ($86, $83, $110 respectively).

Conclusion:

Section 330 grants have increased in NYC, NYS overall and nationally, accompanied by an increase in the number of patients served. Total costs per patient are particularly high in NYC but Section 330 grants pay for a lower proportion of per patient costs in NYC than in the US overall.