Lone Star Circle Of Care (LSCC) and the University of Houston (UH) have partnered to open a new community-based health center in Houston’s Health 2 Building. This collaboration aims to improve healthcare access for underserved residents in South Central Houston, specifically the Third Ward. The center, which opened on April 1, 2019, provides comprehensive primary and behavioral health services.
Addressing Healthcare Disparities in South Central Houston
The need for accessible and affordable healthcare is significant in South Central Houston, where residents face higher rates of chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension compared to the Greater Houston area. The LSCC health center at UH aims to address these disparities by providing a healthcare home for residents, offering preventative care, treatment, and management of physical and behavioral health conditions. Services include family medicine, pediatrics, and behavioral health.
LSCC’s Integrated Care Model at University of Houston
LSCC is known for its integrated care model, where physical and behavioral health needs are addressed concurrently within a single clinical system. This approach, utilizing shared electronic health records for co-managed care by medical and behavioral health providers, aligns with the UH College of Medicine’s focus on training primary care physicians. The center provides a unique opportunity for medical, nursing, and other health profession students to observe this integrated model firsthand.
Benefits of the Partnership: Expanding Access and Training Opportunities
The collaboration between LSCC and UH offers several key benefits:
- Federal Reimbursements: As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), LSCC receives reimbursements from Medicare and Medicaid, allowing the center to offer services on a sliding scale for uninsured patients. This ensures more people can access necessary care.
- Sliding Scale Fees: Uninsured patients are charged based on income and household size, making healthcare more affordable. LSCC also assists with enrollment in programs like Medicaid, CHIP, and the Marketplace.
- Hands-On Learning: UH students gain valuable experience by observing and learning from licensed practitioners in a real-world clinical setting. This practical experience helps address the nationwide shortage of primary care physicians.
Lone Star Circle of Care: A Commitment to Community Health
This new health center embodies LSCC’s commitment to serving underserved communities. Rhonda Mundhenk, CEO of LSCC, emphasizes the importance of combining LSCC’s expertise with UH’s academic and clinical strength to improve health outcomes and quality of life in the Third Ward. Dr. Stephen J. Spann, founding dean of the UH College of Medicine, highlights the alignment of this initiative with UH’s mission to impact regional health.
Location and Contact Information
Lone Star Circle of Care at the University of Houston is located in the Health 2 Building at 4849 Calhoun Road, Suite 1001A, Houston, Texas 77204-6066. New patients can schedule appointments by calling 1-877-800-5722. The center accepts most insurance plans and public programs.
About Lone Star Circle of Care
Founded in 2001, LSCC is a non-profit Federally Qualified Health Center serving over 85,000 patients in Texas. LSCC offers a wide range of services, including primary care, women’s health, behavioral health, dentistry, optometry, and pharmacy services. For more information, visit www.lonestarcares.org.
