Health Services of North Texas Inc.

To improve health outcomes for individuals who experience multiple barriers to care, HSNT uses a comprehensive model of care designed not only to provide primary medical services, but also to address social issues affecting each patient's health and ability to remain in care. The agency addresses physical and mental health issues, lack of health insurance, housing instability issues, lack of transportation, and other barriers to care.

Goals for the primary medical care program are as follows:

1) 63% of adult diabetic patients will have a HbA1c level less than or equal to 9
2) 60% of diagnosed hypertensive patients will have a systolic blood pressure measurement of < 140 mmHg and a diastolic blood pressure measurement of < 90 mmHg
3) 75% of 3-17 year old patients who had a medical visit during the current year will have a Body Mass Index (BMI) percentile documentation, counseling for nutrition, and counseling for physical activity during the measurement year.

-Create a Medical Home Model of health care including primary care, preventative care, and management for chronic diseases.
-Serve as a leader in our community in developing Health Information Technology systems whereby improving the collection, use, and sharing of Health IT.
-Provide direct health services in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner.
-Respond to community - Identify physical, behavioral health and social needs of target population.
-Partner with patients and the community to develop and provide health education and promotion.
-Serve as resource for the community on health and healthcare related matters.
-Educate and advocate for health care needs.
-Decrease health disparities as delineated in Healthy People 2030.

In 2012, HSNT was designated as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). Being an FQHC strengthens our ability to provide accessible healthcare to underserved individuals and means that we meet the quality and performance standards required by the Health Resources and Services Administration. HSNT provides quality care for patients of all ages, with a focus on establishing a medical home for comprehensive healthcare. Services include preventive care, well-child and well-adult exams, chronic disease management, family planning, prenatal care, education, and immunizations. Treatment is available for a wide range of acute and chronic physical, mental and social health conditions such as infectious diseases, diabetes, and high blood pressure. The agency has a long history of providing expert specialty care for HIV/AIDS, including disease management and treatment adherence. The clinical team includes physicians, mid-level providers, nurses, certified medical assistants, and other professionals. Insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, CHIP, and sliding fee patients are accepted.

The organization's support services also assist patients in overcoming barriers to care, and enable them to remain in care. Through case management services, patients are linked to internal and external referral resources, such as food pantries, homeless shelters, and specialty services. When individuals have access to these resources, they are more likely to remain in care and experience improved health outcomes. Insurance enrollment assistance supports patients in determining their eligibility for various insurance programs and completing enrollment forms. Prescription assistance enables patients to receive needed medications that they could not otherwise afford. For qualifying patients, insurance assistance provides financial support for copays, deductibles, and premiums, which enables them to remain insured. Housing Assistance helps qualifying patients to remain inadequate housing, which provides them with the support they need to remain healthy and get back on the path towards economic self-sufficiency. Transportation services remove a critical barrier to care by enabling patients to access medical and social service appointments. Patient feedback gives HSNT ongoing insight into the implementation of each program, so programs are continuously being optimized to better serve our patients.

Since its start in 1988, Health Services of North Texas has helped people with nowhere else to turn for their medical needs. Formed in Denton by local citizens seeking ways to support people living with HIV/AIDS, HSNT has grown to become the sole healthcare safety net in our service area – particularly for the uninsured and underinsured.In 2012, HSNT was designated as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). Being an FQHC strengthens our ability to provide accessible healthcare to underserved individuals and means that we meet the quality and performance standards required by the Health Resources and Services Administration. To this day, HSNT is the only FQHC in Denton and Collin County. In 2014, HSNT acquired Wylie Children's Medical Clinic in Collin County, as well as the Family Health Clinic in Denton.

Today, HSNT is a place where anyone can receive high-quality care, regardless of their economic status or their ability to pay. It is staffed with expert, caring medical professionals and support staff who not only care for the immediate healthcare needs of their patients but also provide ongoing care and additional resources in order to improve their long-term quality of life. As a non­profit community health center, HSNT provides medical and behavioral healthcare through 6 clinics in Denton and Collin counties. In 2021, the organization served 16,564 patients. HSNT's doctors and staff follow a comprehensive approach to healthcare, which includes adult and pediatric medical care, women's specialty services, prenatal care, mental healthcare, and health education – all on an affordable, sliding-fee scale. To thoroughly care for ALL patients, HSNT also offers prescription assistance, medical transportation, translation services, and insurance enrollment assistance. By providing these essential services through a case management model, HSNT addresses social issues that affect patients' health and wellbeing.

HSNT expects to serve 17,000 patients in 2022. Nearly 50% will be medically uninsured; 90% of patients are projected to be low-income. In order to serve more patients, HSNT needs greater resources to offset the increased direct-service costs. Additional funds will expand our healthcare and support services to additional uninsured, underinsured, and low-income individuals by supporting the cost of additional provider salaries, medical supplies, and administrative costs associated with serving more patients.