We at Neighborhood Health serve approximately 40,000 low-income patients in fifteen clinics across Alexandria, Arlington, and Fairfax County. This includes approximately 20,000 patients with Medicaid or FAMIS. Our services include primary medical care, women’s health, prenatal care, dental care, behavioral health, pharmacy, vision, health insurance enrollment, and case management. We provide high quality care and are accredited by the Joint Commission and a certified Patient Centered Medical Home. Our mission is to improve health and advance health equity by providing access to high quality primary care regardless of ability to pay.  

The cost of providing care has risen dramatically since the pandemic. However, reimbursement has not kept up with this increase. Thus, we are requesting that DMAS approves this policy and provides a mechanism to increase reimbursement so that we can provide the same level of care for our patients. Community health centers like ours not only keep patients healthy but also reduce the cost of care for Medicaid beneficiaries by reducing the unnecessary use of expensive acute care.

Thank you for your work on this issue.