International Community Health Services (ICHS) provides accessible and affordable primary care, regardless of barriers such as limited English proficiency, low income, or inadequate health insurance coverage. Many Asian, Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander (A/NHOPI) immigrants and refugees travel to ICHS clinics.
Proven Success
ICHS’ service delivery model is based on a model of care that functions as a “health care home” where patients can access a comprehensive range of health services in one location. They screen all new patients for health insurance coverage and assist uninsured patients with applications for publicly-funded coverage; patients ineligible for coverage are billed according to the agency’s sliding fee scale.
Accessibility and Cultural Competency
ICHS staff is bilingual and bicultural. To ensure that its services are as linguistically, culturally, and financially accessible as possible, they provide on-site interpretation in over 50 languages and dialects.
They conduct community-based outreach, disseminate culturally-appropriate health information at local businesses, churches, community centers, and other community venues in order to education community members who may not be able to access such information otherwise.
Collaboration
ICHS works closely with Asian Counseling and Referral Services. In September 2010, ACRS was awarded a grant for the integration of primary care into the behavioral health setting. Through this grant, ICHS began providing on-site primary care for ACRS patients on a weekly basis beginning in March 2011.
In April 2011, the City of Seattle selected ICHS to be the lead agency for the city’s newest school-based health center at the Secondary Bilingual Orientation Center. This will be ICHS’s first school-based health center and will be the first Seattle Public School school-based health center to serve both students and their families. They will provide primary medical care, behavioral health services, health education, interpretation, and case management.
Sustainability
ICHS has managed costs well. There is a lot of uncertainty with state and local government funding as well as insurance reimbursements and grants. Patient volume continues to climb due to high levels of unemployment. There are going to be challenges ahead until the economy recovers and health care reform is implemented. The existing level of funding will not adequately support programs and services.
ICHS adopted a strategic plan for 2011 to 2016 and includes goals focused on infrastructure, customer services, human investment, sustainability and quality. They continually work to balance cost cutting measures with transforming ICHS and remain forward looking despite the short term economic pressures.