Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) has launched an independent organization to enhance services at eight community clinics primarily located on the Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH) - 17th Street campus.

Eight clinics transitioned to the new organization, Valley Health Partners Community Health Center (VHP).

The goal is to increase accessibility to health care for underserved and vulnerable populations, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.

In early 2021, LVHN and Lehigh Valley Physicians Group (LVPG) will submit an application to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for consideration in becoming a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) Look-Alike.

An FQHC Look-Alike receives enhanced reimbursement from Medicare and Medicaid, which allows clinics to offer whole-person care and creates opportunities to look beyond medical care, focusing on social determinants of health and other underlying causes of poor health.

The federal reimbursement permits the expansion of core services such as comprehensive primary care, dental and mental health-substance abuse in addition to enabling services that includes interpretation, transportation to appointments, and health education.

VHP will offer a sliding-fee discount that removes financial barriers to receiving care.

“About a year ago, LVPG hired an external consulting firm to evaluate our current health-care delivery structure and provide recommendations on how to better address the needs of our patients, colleagues, residents and fellows, and health network,” said Brian Nester, DO, MBA, FACOEP.

Nester said the FQHC Look-Alike will be a new nonprofit organization with its own board of directors and leadership. He said the focus will be to ensure close alignment and collaboration with LVHN and LVPG.

Nester anticipates a review to be completed in three to six months. He said staff and patients will be informed throughout the process.

Nester said staff, management and providers are the most important aspects to the success of the clinics, and the primary goal is to preserve the employment structure.

The following eight clinics transitioned to the new organization, Valley Health Partners Community Health Center (VHP):

1. VHP Centro de Salud - Primary care practice dedicated to advancing the health and well-being of the Hispanic community with common health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma and heart disease.

2. VHP Children’s Clinic - Care for children who are well, ill or have special needs, including behavioral health, ADHD, asthma and obesity.

3. VHP Children’s Clinic at Sheridan - An extension of the Children’s Clinic, providing primary and specialty care for Children’s Clinic patients in the Allentown School District from kindergarten through high school.

4. VHP Center for Women’s Medicine - Comprehensive health care for women and adolescent girls, with specialists for high-risk pregnancies and depression and more.

5. VHP Lehigh Valley Family Health Center - Community-based family medicine with an emphasis on improving and maintaining health for patients who are well, and those with chronic diseases.

6. VHP Lehigh Valley Physicians Practice Primary Care - High-quality, accessible, cost-effective primary health care for the Lehigh Valley’s diverse community.

7. VHP Mark J. Young Community Health and Wellness Center - Helping people to learn how to take care of themselves, for those with chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma and obesity. Prediabetes, diabetes classes and nutritional services are offered.

8. VHP Street Medicine - Primary and urgent care for homeless people in the Lehigh Valley in shelters, soup kitchens, under bridges or in the woods.

VHP will take every step possible to provide COVID-SAFE care at every clinic. Same-day appointments, virtually or in person, will be available and measures will be in place to protect every patient.

Patients will have access to an online patient portal for clinic and outpatient services, to review medical record information, request prescription refills, schedule appointments and take care of billing matters.

Patients can schedule a VHP Video Visit, online consultation with a caregiver, is available daily, 24 hours a day.