The NACHC policy paper, Community Health Centers and Medicaid: Working Together to Make Americans Healthy, shares data about Community Health Centers (CHCs) and Medicaid, which provides health coverage for half of CHC patients. Medicaid is the country’s largest health insurer for low-income and disabled people.
- In 2023, CHCs served nearly 16 million patients insured through Medicaid – 1 in 5.
- Of the 32.5 million patients served at CHCs in 2023, 50% were Medicaid enrollees.
- CHCs are a key partner for Medicaid as it seeks innovative solutions to improve health while lowering costs.
CHCs Reduce Medicaid Spending
CHCs provide cost-effective services that keep Medicaid patients healthy, prevent Emergency Department (ED) visits and hospitalizations, and reduce the need for costly specialty care. In 2023, CHCs provided care to 18% of all Medicaid beneficiaries, but Medicaid payments to CHCs made up only 2.3% of total Medicaid spending. CHCs provide comprehensive primary and preventive care at a lower cost than other primary care providers, saving Medicaid $1,400 per adult patient per year.
