Federally qualified health centers are reimbursed using Medicaid's fee schedule adjusted to reasonable cost. Medicaid establishes reasonable costs by using the centers' annual cost reports. At the end of FY 1998 there were 16 FQHCs enrolled as providers, with 87 satellite clinics. The Medicaid rural health program was implemented in April 1978. Services covered under the program include any medical service typically furnished by a physician in an office or a home visit.
Limits are the same as for the physician program.
Independent rural health clinic services, whether performed by a physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant, are reimbursable. A physician or nurse practitioner is available to furnish patient care while the clinic operates. Independent rural health clinics are reimbursed at the reasonable cost per visit established for the clinics by the Medicare fiscal intermediary. At the end of FY 1998 there were 33 independent rural health clinics enrolled as providers in the Medicaid program.