As federal Medicaid changes unfold, CHP, alongside the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, is advocating for policies that protect access to care for people in rural parts of the state.
In rural areas where there are fewer healthcare providers to choose from, community health centers tend to see a larger percentage of patients with commercial insurance funded by individual or employer premiums. Yet commercial insurance plans reimburse CHP an average of $133 less per visit than MassHealth (Medicaid), even though every patient receives the same comprehensive, high-quality care. Forty three percent of CHP patients have commercial insurance coverage, meaning that low commercial reimbursement rates have a significant impact on CHP’s financial health.
This funding gap makes it harder for rural community health centers like CHP to sustain the services the community depends on, especially as federal Medicaid changes and the potential loss of Marketplace subsidies could increase the number of uninsured patients seeking care. That’s why CHP is advocating for a Commercial Rate Floor in Massachusetts. This policy would require commercial insurance plans to reimburse community health centers at fair, consistent rates similar to the standard already used for MassHealth patients. By ensuring reimbursement better reflects the true cost of care, it would strengthen our ability to provide accessible, comprehensive care to all for years to come.