Preventive care from regular check-ups to recommended screenings and immunizations is critical to ensuring good health outcomes. While Minnesotans generally have a higher level of health than residents of other states, the state continues to have significant variations in healthcare outcomes by race, ethnicity, language, and country of origin.
FUHN member clinics are well-positioned to help close preventive care gaps, given their focus on traditionally underserved communities. Across the FUHN clinics, 76% of their patients are non-white and 36% are best served in a language other than English. Additionally, 89% of patients with known incomes have household incomes less than or equal to 200% of federal poverty guidelines. FUHN member clinics provide primary medical, dental, behavioral health, and support services. They work closely with community partners such as county agencies, community-based mental health centers, racial and ethnic community organizations, and schools.
In turn, UCare, an independent nonprofit offering health coverage across Minnesota and western Wisconsin through Medicare, Medicaid, and individual and family health plans, is also focused on community partners and addressing social determinants of health. Given their shared interest in closing preventive care gaps, the 10 community health centers in the FUHN Clinically Integrated Network (CIN) and UCare launched a new agreement. Over half of patients at FUHN member clinics who receive Medicaid do so through a UCare managed care plan.
“Agreements like the one with UCare create an opportunity to partner to improve patient care and boost the number of preventive care screenings for patients,” said Mary Maertens, executive director of FUHN. “We look forward to collaborating with UCare to identify patients who need various preventive care measures so we can improve their health.”
The 10 member clinics of the FUHN CIN include Axis Medical, Community-University Health Care Center, Indian Health Board, Native American Community Clinic, Neighborhood Healthsource, Open Cities Health Center, Open Door Health Center, People’s Center Clinics & Services, Southside Community Health Services, and Riverland Community Health (formerly United Family Medicine).