I have worked with the Community Health Centers for more than 17 years and am very proud of the services we provide to the most vulnerable populations who most of the time have very few options to seek health care. Due to the limited income resources, those patient populations often ignore the health issues which then turn into chronic conditions and increase ER visits. FQHCs are so vital for the Health Systems and play an important role in keeping the overall costs low by providing preventive care and routine services.

At Loudoun Community Health Center, we have expanded our medical care from 2 sites to 5 sites, added additional dental location, now provide mammogram and ultrasound services as well, which has added to our cost tremendously, but there has been no to little PPS increase in last 20 years. The PPS rate we have is far from our actual costs of providing services. With the most recent inflation rate, it is becoming almost impossible to run the services at the current level.

Therefore, I support these bills to ensure FQHCs can continue to provide quality healthcare service for our Medicaid patients.

• 12VAC30-80-25:B.1-Reimbursement for federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and rural health clinics (RHCs): Beginning October 1, 2001, and for each fiscal year thereafter, each FQHC/RHC shall be entitled to the payment amount (on a per-visit basis) to which the center or clinic was entitled under BIPA of 2000 in the previous fiscal year, adjusted by the percentage change in the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) for primary care services, and adjusted to take into account any increase or decrease in the scope of services furnished by the FQHC/RHC during its fiscal year.
   
• Budget Bill - Item 288 WWWW: DMAS shall implement a process no later than January 1, 2025, for FQHCs to notify the department of any changes in the scope of services offered by an FQHC, pursuant to Section 1902(bb)(3) of 42 U.S.C. 1396a. The department is authorized to reimburse FQHCs for unreimbursed costs, as allowed by the applicable federal law, prior to an initial request for a change in scope under the new process. After more than 20 years of waiting and in compliance with Item 288 WWWW, HealthWorks for Northern Virginia, respectfully requests the implementation of this policy, along with the new PPS rate, effective January 1, 2025. We also request reimbursement for any unreimbursed costs incurred prior to the submission in accordance with applicable federal law.