Bridging
the Health
Equity Divide
Bridging
the Health
Equity Divide
The FQHC Telehealth Consortium seeks to eliminate health and digital disparities by building a model of sustainable, patient-centered, and equitable telehealth practices throughout Massachusetts—and across the country.
Bridging the Health Equity Divide
The FQHC Telehealth Consortium seeks to eliminate health and digital disparities by building a model of sustainable, patient-centered, and equitable telehealth practices throughout Massachusetts—and across the country.
A PHASED APPROACH
We realize that the opportunities and challenges associated with the transition to an equitable and sustainable telehealth model at FQHCs are organizationally, financially, and culturally complex. For those reasons, we have implemented a phased approach to our work.
PHASE I ACCOMPLISHMENTS
March-November 2020
During Phase 1, the Consortium raised $5M to launch and support a quick pivot to telehealth services at member FQHCs. A few of our accomplishments include:
- Mobilizing a rapid telehealth response at member centers by purchasing the hardware, software, and equipment needed to conduct visits remotely.
- Enabling a 65% return of members’ pre-COVID patient service revenue.
- Providing smartphones, connectivity, and connected devices to more than 1,500 patients.
- Creating a holistic roadmap for building a sustainable, patient-centered, equitable telehealth platform for members.
- Developing tools and curating resources to create an FQHC Telehealth Playbook that documents best practices and supports the adoption and sustainability of telehealth at health centers.
PHASE II GOALS
December 2020-June 2022
In Phase II, we seek to raise $12M to invest in FQHCs’ central role of promoting health equity and telehealth sustainability. The scope of Phase II includes work to:
- Continue to expand technology and broadband access to patients.
- Address disparities by identifying and implementing strategies to engage and educate patients about telehealth.
- Build capacity at health centers through supportive measures, such as project management and practice coaching.
- Measure, evaluate, and disseminate findings to support health centers locally and nationally.
The Consortium has a unique opportunity to address racial, healthcare, and digital inequities by building a robust and sustainable telehealth infrastructure capable of reaching and improving the health of the Commonwealth’s most under‑resourced patients.
Our Consortium has a head start in addressing these compelling needs. Now is the time to build on this foundation to ensure that our work and insights from this endeavor will be shared with FQHCs throughout the nation.
1 in 8
Massachusetts residents
receive care at Federally
Qualified Health Centers
18,700
Jobs supported by
Massachusetts health
centers
713,000
Patients served by all health
centers in the FQHC
Telehealth Consortium
$2B
Annual savings generated
by Massachusetts health
centers
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