A visit to the doctor at Knox Community Health Center can cost as little as $10, no matter whether a patient has insurance.
Reina Reyes, the center’s chief operations officer, and Staci Simpson, its director of operations, joined Galesburg In Focus host Chris Postin on Saturday, Aug. 1, ahead of National Health Center Week, which runs Aug. 3-9.
Listen to the full interview below:
How the sliding fee scale works
The center operates on a sliding fee scale for patients who are uninsured or underinsured. Patients apply by submitting proof of income, and costs are set based on where they fall on the scale. Medical visits start as low as $10, mental health counseling ranges from $1 to $20 a visit, preventive dental care starts at $10, and restorative dental starts at $20.
Anyone can become a patient at the center, Reyes said, regardless of insurance status. Patients with insurance and high deductibles can also use the sliding scale to offset costs, and the center runs a 340B prescription drug program that can reduce medication costs for those who qualify.
One building, multiple services
The center houses medical, dental, and behavioral health services in one building, allowing patients to schedule multiple appointments the same day rather than making separate trips. Reyes said that model is designed to remove common barriers to care, including time off work, childcare, and transportation.
No referral is needed for medical or psychiatric services, and both are currently accepting new patients. The center’s psychiatric provider treats patients age 6 and up.
14 years of service
Knox Community Health Center is marking its 14th year of operation. As a federally qualified health center, it is part of a national network of more than 1,500 community health centers serving roughly 1 in 7 Americans.
Community events this week
The center’s outreach team will be at several community events this week, including tonight’s National Night Out, Wednesday’s Feed My Lambs Back to School picnic, and Saturday’s NAACP Back to School community cookout.
