Grantee Name
Hudson River Healthcare
Funding Area
Special Projects Fund
Publication Date
April 2019
Grant Amount
$200,000
Grant Date:
April 2016 – June 2017
Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) must develop and implement different strategies to remain economically sustainable and continue delivering care to medically underserved areas during health care’s shift from fee-for-service to value-based payment models.
However, because of limited resources and influence, many FQHCs may find themselves at a disadvantage, especially when it comes to negotiating terms with payers. Independent Practice Associations (IPAs) are networks formed by physicians that allow them to act as a private organization to contract and negotiate with insurers.
In New York State, a group of 10 FQHCs formed the Community Health Independent Practice Association (CHIPA) as a way to increase members’ bargaining power and ensure financial sustainability. Founding members were Finger Lakes Community Health, Greater Hudson Valley Family Health Center, Hudson River HealthCare, Institute for Family Health, NYU Lutheran Family Health Centers, Open Door Family Medical Centers, Regional Primary Care Network, Ryan/Chelsea-Clinton Community Health Center, Urban Health Plan, and William F. Ryan Community Health Center. CHIPA was the first IPA formed among FQHCs in New York State and collectively provides care to more than 600,000 patients, many of whom are low-income and from vulnerable populations.
In 2016, NYHealth awarded Hudson River HealthCare (as fiscal sponsor) a grant to support the implementation of CHIPA and the development of a clinical integration plan that would enable CHIPA to deliver value as a network, both regionally and statewide.