Primary Care

Primary care centers are referred to as Community Health Centers (CHCs) and are made up of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) and FQHC Look-Alikes. They must be registered with the West Virginia Secretary of State and are governed by a board of directors made up of community members and patients. CHCs must meet criteria of Health Resources and Services Administration, Bureau of Primary Health Care. The CHC’s responsibilities are also defined in West Virginia Legislative Rules 64 CSR-70.3.10.

Community Health Centers provide comprehensive, affordable and accessible health care services to patients of all ages. Sliding fee schedules are available for those who qualify. Medicare, Medicaid and third party payments are accepted. Numerous CHC satellite clinic sites make health accessible for West Virginians.

There are currently 31 Community Health Centers with approximately 180 total sites. To find a Community Health Center near you, click the county where you live or closest proximity to you.

Medial services offered by CHCs sometimes change over time. Below is a list of current offerings. (Not all services are available at every CHC.)

• Primary care medicine
• Acute care
• Preventive health screenings and education
• Chronic disease management (diabetes, asthma, obesity, hypertension, cardiac)
• Dental preventive and restorative care (some sites)
• Behavioral health on site or by referral
• Pediatric medicine
• Geriatric medicine
• OB/GYN
• Laboratory services
• Health screenings across the life cycle
• Healthy lifestyles training
• School-based health center services (at school sites)
• Patient referrals