FAQ

What is Primary Healthcare Centers?
Primary Healthcare Centers (PHC) is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that provides primary health care services, dental services, nutrition/dietician services, and case management services to area citizens, regardless of ability to pay. PHC has been in operation in Trenton, Georgia since 1978. Since then PHC has expanded and open clinics in Rossville, Georgia, Summerville, Georgia, Rome, and Cedartown, Georgia. PHC also has school-based clinics at Tiger Creek Elementary in Tunnel Hill, Georgia, and Gilbert Elementary in Lafayette, Georgia; Rossville Elementary, Rossville Middle school, and Ringgold High School.

What geographic area does it serve?
PHC serves patients from all areas, regardless of their address. Most patients served, however, reside in our five site counties: Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Polk, and Walker.

What is the Center's mission?
We're a group of non-profit community health centers dedicated to improving the health care status of our patients and community by providing accessible, affordable, quality primary health care services to everyone regardless of ability to pay.

What does FQHC mean?
Federally Qualified Health Centers, like PHC, receive federal grants through the Health Resources and Service Administration and/or other Federal programs to offset costs involved in providing health care to individuals that qualify.

Who owns and operates the Center?
PHC is an independent, private, not-for-profit community health center governed by a volunteer board of directors. It is managed by a Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operations Officer, Chief  Medical Director, and Dental Director.

What does "primary health care" mean?
This care is provided in our ambulatory care clinic (physicians' office). These services include (but are not limited to): acute care visits for sudden or unexpected illness (colds, flu, allergies, rashes, etc.); well-child check-ups and immunizations; adult annual physical examinations and immunizations, including recommended annual breast exams and paps for women and referrals for mammograms; on-site laboratory and x-ray services; employment physicals; employee drug screenings for area industry and businesses, and general dentistry.

Can I get medical care if I have a chronic disease?
Yes. The Center's specialized with chronic diseases and patients should plan their medical visits on a regular basis, develop and monitor self-management goals, and receive specialized counseling and education.

Who provides the care?
PHC is staffed with family practice physicians, pediatricians, nurse practitioners, nutritionists, dieticians, social worker case managers, general dentists, and dental hygienists. These providers have many combined years of health care experience. They are supported by a wonderful team of nurses, medical assistants, lab technicians, x-ray technicians, dental assistants, and office personnel.

Is anyone available to talk with me after hours?
A medical provider is always "on-call" after business hours, on weekends and holidays for emergency situations. During these times you may access the answering service by calling the Center's main number.

Will the Center accept my insurance coverage?
PHC accepts patients with or without insurance coverage. We accept Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans.

If I have medical insurance, am I responsible for any copays and/or deductibles?
Most insurance plans require the patient to pay a deductible. However, Medicare patients do not have to meet an annual deductible for physicians' visits at Primary Healthcare Centers because it is a Federally Qualified Health Center. Other PHC services provided to a Medicare patient under Part B (lab, x-ray, etc.) will have the standard deductible as required by Medicare.

If I'm uninsured can I get help paying for my doctor's or dentist's appointment?
The Center has a sliding-fee scale for individuals who qualify.  You will need to talk with a receptionist at the time of your appointment to obtain an application.

Can I get help paying for my prescription medicines?
Please ask your provider for information at your visit if you need assistance
The Center can help in three ways: Certain prescription medicines may be obtained at a low cost to the patient. PHC participates in the 340B prescription assistance program. Free drug samples are provided when available.


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Call (706) 866-5520 or send us a message using the form below.

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