Lower Lights Christian Health Center

Description

Because Franklinton had the highest poverty rates in all of Franklin County, the result was poor health outcomes with little-to-no access to primary health care for the residents of this community. The establishment of LLCHC in 2002 provided access to quality health care to any patient, regardless of the ability to pay, allowing the impoverished residents of this area to receive the medical evaluation and treatment they needed.

Lower Lights Christian Health Center (LLCHC) is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and is currently recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as a Patient Centered Medical Home, Level III--the highest level achievable. LLCHC is truly a comprehensive medical home that offers a full spectrum of primary health care to all ages.

Due to the significant growth of the Health Center over the past 12 years, one of the biggest challenges to LLCHC was creating the capacity to help all those who need medical services. Because of the tremendous need for more space, in July 2012 Lower Lights Christian Health Center purchased a 48,000 sq.ft. abandoned warehouse building at 1160 West Broad Street and renovated 14,000 square feet of it into a state-of-the-art medical facility.

In April, we moved into our new Health Center facility, positioning us to increase our patient base from approximately 8,000 to 15,000 patients and to increase individual patient encounters from approximately 26,000 to 45,000 by 2015.

In early 2014, we will open a new three-operatory dental suite, providing a full spectrum of preventative services as well as a limited spectrum of restorative and emergency services. Additionally, a collaborative effort with The Charitable Pharmacy of Central Ohio will benefit our patients by providing the opportunity to purchase prescription medications at a reduced cost before ever leaving the Health Center. Both of these ancillary services allow LLCHC to provide an even greater level of comprehensive care to our patients.

More than fifty percent of our patients have no health insurance and are seen by our providers on a sliding fee scale--with most uninsured patients paying as little as $10 per visit. However, NO patient is turned away for inability to pay.