Suncoast Community Health Centers, Inc. Fact Sheet

Organizational Background

Suncoast Community Health Centers, Inc. began as a part-time program of HRS to provide health care to migrant/seasonal farmworkers in South Hillsborough County. In 1977 a group of concerned citizens formed a private not-for-profit corporation and expanded services to include both farmworkers and the community at large.

Governance

The Center is led by an all-volunteer Governing Board. Federal regulations require that at least 51% of the board members must be patients at the center. The remaining board members have expertise in business, finance, law and migrant and community affairs.

Services

Suncoast's mission is to provide affordable, high quality medical and dental care at the community level. Specialists in family practice, internal medicine, ob/gyn, pediatrics and general dentistry provide services at sites in Ruskin, Dover, and Plant City. Hours are tailored to the needs of the community, with evening hours one night per week. Support services include lab, x-ray, pharmacy, outreach, health education and patient transportation.

Staffing

Care is provided by board-certified physicians and Florida licensed dentists who are supported by well-qualified auxiliary staff. All medical and dental providers are full-time employees of Suncoast.

Funding Sources

The Center's annual budget exceeds $14 million. Funding sources from operations include: Medicaid, Medicare, Hillsborough County Health Care Plan, Private Insurance, Patient Pay (discounted), and a Federal Grant. Additional limited funding comes from charitable contributions and center fund raising events.

Charges

Our charges are generally similiar to or lower than other health care providers in the area. At Suncoast, we also discount our charges to patients based upon their income. When patients qualify for these discounts they range from a nominal fee of $15 for an all inclusive visit to 25%, 50%, and 75% off of our regular fee schedule.

Patients Served

Suncoast provides care to anyone who wishes to use our services. This year we will provide care to 20,000 patients during 90,000+ visits. Thirty percent of our patients are farmworkers and their families, seventy percent are area residents of all age groups, from newborns through geriatrics, in all income categories