Equitas Health Earns Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike Designation

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Jan. 10, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Equitas Health announces it has achieved Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) Look-Alike designation by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the first for an LGBTQ & HIV/AIDS-focused health center in Ohio. The designation applies to their Short North and Dayton Health Centers.

FQHC Look-Alike's must serve an underserved area or population, offer a sliding fee scale, provide comprehensive services and have both an ongoing quality assurance program and a governing board of directors, according to HHS.

Bill Hardy, President & CEO, Equitas Health says, "This is an important achievement, further demonstrating our commitment to provide affordable and accessible quality health care to those seeking a welcoming healthcare home. As an FQHC Look-Alike, Equitas Health is poised to further increase primary health accessibility to communities we serve and to patients regardless of their ability to pay."

In 2016, Equitas Health announced an expanded mission and new name to reflect its transition into a community-based healthcare system specializing in LGBTQ health & HIV care and a focus on medically underserved populations. Look-Alike status not only recognizes the success of the organization's healthcare delivery model but will help increase its ability to address the healthcare needs of the most marginalized and vulnerable populations.

Equitas Health provides complete primary and preventative care to anyone, including those who are uninsured and patients with commercial insurance, Medicaid or Medicare. Services include primary care, retail pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, chronic disease management, specialized LGBTQ care, case management, specialized Hepatitis C, HIV and STD care & treatment, referrals to specialists, laboratory services, insurance enrollment, supportive services, and more.

"Our Health Centers provide high quality, culturally competent care through a comprehensive patient-centered approach. Our integrated services model has been critical to our success. This along with our designation as an FQHC Look-Alike will allow us to better serve those patients who are in most need of our services," says Chad Braun, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Equitas Health.

ABOUT EQUITAS HEALTH

Equitas Health (formerly AIDS Resource Center Ohio) is a not-for-profit community-based healthcare system founded in 1984. Its expanded mission has made it one of the nation's largest HIV/AIDS, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) healthcare organizations. The Equitas Health Pharmacy & Prizm Magazine operate as social enterprises for Equitas Health, 100% of profits are reinvested back into the organization's programs and services. www.equitashealth.com

CONTACT: Alyssa Chenault, 614-526-4161

SOURCE Equitas Health