The first two clinics, in East Tacoma and in the Hilltop area of Downtown Tacoma, were operated one or two nights a week by volunteer physicians with the help of other citizens handling logistics and paperwork. In the early 1970s limited funding was obtained from the federal Model Cities Program to support the continuation of the clinical services. In 1980 a new federal funding resource called The Urban Health Initiative made it possible for the county Health Department to take over the operation of the two clinics and to establish two additional clinics, one in Sumner and one in Lakewood.
In 1987, with the passage of the federal Public Health Service Act, funds became available to place the clinic operations under the leadership of a private, non-profit organization separate from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. Community Health Care Delivery System (CHCDS) was chartered in late 1986 and took over the operation of the four clinics under the direction of Ms. Florence Reeves as Executive Director. Ms. Reeves was a Registered Nurse who had headed the clinic program within the Health Department. CHCDS, under the federal funding guidelines, was (and is) governed by a Board of Directors which is composed of clinic patients and other local citizens. By federal requirement, 51% of the Board members must be patients of the clinic system.
With the early addition of a dental clinic to the initial four medical clinics, CHCDS began a consistent pattern of growth in an attempt to better meet the needs of the low-income, uninsured and under-insured residents of Pierce County. In 1995 David Flentge became the new President and CEO of the organization and in 1997, on the 10th anniversary of the organization, the name was officially changed to Community Health Care.
This organization currently operates five medical and behavioral health clinics,four dental clinics, and five pharmacies throughout Pierce County. Clinics are located in Eastside Tacoma, Hilltop Tacoma, Lakewood, Parkland and Spanaway. Community Health Care provides medical, dental, pharmacy and behavioral health services to our patients.
This health center receives HHS funding and has Federal Public Health Service (PHS) deemed status with respect to certain health or health-related claims, including medical malpractice claims, for itself and its covered individuals.
Community Health Care is a Patient Centered Medical Home for your entire family. Our patients have their own health care team that uses a whole care approach which identifies your medical, dental and specialty needs.
Thank you for your interest in Community Health Care. Below are answers to some of our most frequently asked questions. If your question is not answered below please use the Contact Us page to submit your question.
Community Health Care serves more than 45,000 patients each year at five medical clinics, four dental clinics, and five pharmacy locations. One of every eighteen people in Pierce County is a Community Health Care patient.
No, Community Health Care is a 501 (c)3 non-profit network of community-based Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) offering comprehensive medical, dental, pharmacy and behavioral health, and specialty healthcare services in Pierce County. Community Health Care is a HRSA FTCA deemed facility
1) Patient fees (83%). These are fees received from insurance companies, Medicare, Medicaid, and the patients themselves. Uninsured and under-insured patients are charged on a sliding fee scale based on family size, income and services provided. 2) Government grants (10%) are used to help provide services to uninsured and under-insured patients. 3) Other grants, donations and miscellaneous (7%).
All of our medical and dental providers are employees of Community Health Care. Most work full-time but some work only part-time due to the program in which they work. We also have some volunteer providers who provide specialty care.
Community Health Care accepts the majority of all Health Insurance plans, including all Apple Health/Medicaid plans and Medicare. If you want to know if your insurance is accepted, please call your clinic.
Yes, no one is denied care due to inability to pay. If you are uninsured or under-insured, we offer a sliding scale based on family size and income. In some instances, the sliding fee discount may also apply to a patients co-pay or deductible.
For those living at 200% of poverty and below Community Health Care uses a sliding fee scale to reduce cost. The reduction is based on your income and family size. This discount applies to all Community Health Care services and fees: medical, dental, behavioral health and pharmacy. At Community Health Care no one is denied care due to inability to pay.
Reviews
Rating 3.2 out of 5 based on 157 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestJ mach
a year ago
This is a insurance generated and run mill...all of the medical staff parrot and mimic what they are told by thier insurance bosses...Ive had numerous Dr.s....nurses...staff... tell me they are not allowed to do or prescribe except what they are told. Its time for a change , our med sytem is beyond broke...
fritzdf63
2 years ago
I have had outstanding treatment from CHC. Dr. Josh, is a great Dr. and has demonstrated his professionalism beyond. I'm impressed with this clinic so far.
Sssimply Nancy
2 years ago
First of all The staff of course has fake smiles on , they don't like like having the fact they must also speak your language . Not only calling to making an appointment takes forever, Then you go and they come up " we didn't here the phone "
Torin Sorensen
2 years ago
Got back in the dental chair to be told they are too busy there's an appointment in close to two months here's a temp filler. He didn't even clean the tooth before before putting in the filling.
Wanjiru Ndungu
2 years ago
My experience was great! When I got to the clinic I couldn't find a parking spot and called the office for enquires. I may not have followed the instructions well because my first call was dropped but the second one went through without a delay. The receptionist Shannon directed me to the parking lot and even instructed me how to access the building after parking. She was so helpful despite my accent and patient too. The greeter at the door was very nice. The entire team including the dentist were so good I can't wait to get back for my appointments and mark you it was a walki-in. If I had followed the negative comments I would not have gone there today. I feel it is ok to be patient when seeking help from public offices and to learn to accept if things don't go the way one wants and allow room for negotiations and such. I guess a little kindness goes along way.
Stephanie Todhunter
2 years ago
Are you open or closed when I call says closed but online says open get it right.
Lani and Ronny
2 years ago
The receptionist named Shannon is so RUDE!! She's part of the dental office. She should not be the receptionist or working the front desk if she is going to have an attitude and be rude to patients. My husband was standing in line and she called him up and said, Name? Spell it! Are you still this person? And my husband said Yes Ma'am! She says ughh just give me your ID. He say why, that's me then she says to him well why did you say No! He said Yes Ma'am not No!! She should be more patient with people not talk like a robot and just rush people. She was being very rude and unprofessional. This is only our second time here, and this will be the last! We are not gonna come here again to deal with someone who clearly needs to learn how to talk to people and treat patients with respect!!
jenni tipton
2 years ago
I went in to get a tooth Extracted and they broke off the top portion of my tooth and left the rest from my gumline down with the attitude well we tried so now I'm left with a rotting tooth and a hole now.
Chelsea Bauknecht
2 years ago
I'm litterally sitting here in the lobby right as I'm writing this and my appointment was at 12:30 I showed up at 12:34 now it's 1:30 and I still have not been called. This is ridiculous. People who had appointments after me are being called in. Maybe me being 4 minutes late made them mad and now they are making me wait on purpose. 1 hour later. How exciting.
Tut Mosis
2 years ago
I like how I'm treated by the staff no matter if I'm there for dental, medical & when entering for questions and temperature check. The staff is polite, try to make sure I'm comfortable. Ready to answer any concerns. My experience is always a positive one. They go above & beyond to see I'm taken care of. They like to be certain my experience was a pleasant one. I may contact the nurses & some of the Drs here anytime for any reason. Never had a bad experience.
Sarah Marie Mattin
2 years ago
Epic. I've had ups and downs because I am a high anxiety/difficult patient but as soon as I found the dentists that were a good fit for me I couldn't be happier. Great staff.
Einna Rox
2 years ago
Worst clinic, stay away! They have cancelled my sister's appointment multiple times, supposed to be for transplant clearance, staff are rude as well, if they said they cancelled it's cancelled they will not try to work with you. My sister have waited 3mos to get another appointment, which we may never know they will cancel again.
Tommy Sr. Montenguise
2 years ago
This place is a blessing and the crew an staff are awesome and a big shout out to Porter DDS, Jonathan truly skilled Physician Lucky to have him.
Kari Savage
2 years ago
This team always does a fantastic job. I needed a lot of work done, I hadn't seen a dentist in about ten years because I couldn't afford it. I am currently using Apple Health while I try to get my small business off the ground. I had a long list of problems with my teeth when I came in for my first exam. The first one to be fixed was that I needed two wisdom teeth removed. Community Dental referred me to a good surgeon and I had them removed with no issues. Now we are working on a deep cleaning of ny mouth, one quarter of my mouth at a time. It is so refreshing now that some of that tartar is gone. I was at the point where (no matter how much I cleaned my mouth) my breath would constantly smell like poop. My breath doesn't stink anymore and my teeth are way less sensitive now. Today I had a few cavities filled including a HUGE hole in one of my molars. I hadn't chewed on this side of my mouth for years. I am astounded that I can chew there again. The team at community dental are always very professional, and during the virus they are taking a LOT of measures to make sure that the place is clean to stop the spread of COVID. Among my favorite staff members who have worked with me are Susan Richmond (hygenist) who is always kind and does a great job and Kyle Wilburn (DDS) who fixed my damaged molar and made sure that I was comfortable the entire time. I never had much faith in the care that state-funded insurance provides, but this practice at Community Dental has completely changed my mind. I have had way less thrilling experiences at privately owned dental offices with a fancy waiting room. Thank you to this whole team for helping me regain my oral health after I neglected it so long. I know that it was a big job but they made exceptional work of it. I would recommend this facility to anyone like me with low income that wants to take care of their health.
Deborrah Perdue
2 years ago
The dental office is a joke. DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME. For a cleaning they scheduled me for 4 separate appts. I arrived for my appt and the hygienist asked me if I had received a call to come in early. I told her no. She wanted the day off so I was turned away. SMH. I went in again for a scheduled cleaning. I was given 3 shots to numb me. Only a quadrant was done. On the next appt, only a quadrant done again along with 3 shots. Third appt, 3 more shots. I complained and told them that they were numbing my earlobes. She said it was because I was leaning back. 4th appt, different hygentist she numbed me with a q tip and was done in 10 mins. The 3 other appts were blocked out for 45 mins each time. Also, the dentist insisted on pulling two of my lower front teeth. I refused. There is nothing wrong with them. I was told not to bite down on anything hard, like an apple. 3 years later and I still have my front teeth. My reason for going in was I needed to be cleared for a knee replacement. There has to be no chance of an infection in my mouth that could compromise the healing of my knee. The dentist and her worker bees didn't have a clue as to what I was talking about. The incompetent dentist would not sign the release form. My Primary Dr had to override the Quack of a dentist. I would love to put in a formal complaint. It makes me wonder how bad of a dentist you have to be to schedule a cleaning that takes 3 hours. Don't be late either. Not by a min. I arrived 2 mins late and they couldn't take me. They said they had another appt available in three hours. I waited. Three hours later, they told me I hadn't checked back in so I couldn't be seen. Unbelievably incompetent and rude. They should be shut down.
Alonzo C.
2 years ago
l would like to share my sincere appreciation for the promptness and professional care given to me at the Community Health Care - Hilltop Family Medical Clinic in Tacoma Washington.This facility's technology and equipment are state-of-the-art and an indispensable resource to the community of Tacoma and Pierce county. I have had wonderful experiences when coming to my multiple appointments, that involved medical, dental, pharmacy, and waiting room areas. I have been going to the Community HealthCare - Hilltop Family Medical Clinic for the last two years before and during the pandemic. The staff and health providers in any part of the building were so caring, prompt, and efficient, and also implemented all health procedures and guidelines mandated by the state and health officials. I have been fortunate to be under the care of Dr. Alireza Hadi, Medical, DMD MaiAnh Pham Dentistry, and RDH Susan Richardson Dentistry. Alireza Hadi is far and away the best doctor I have ever met and he is extremely intelligent, a compassionate and caring person and a truly outstanding doctor. I count myself lucky to have him as my physician. In the last two years, Dr. Hadi's advice and guidance have helped me become the healthiest I have been in years. You're the MAN, Dr. Hadi. DMD MaiAnH Pham is such an impressive Dentist. She truly cares about her patients and their families. She always takes the time to explain things to me so we can make the best decision for my care. Dr. Pham was incredibly gentle and checked to ensure my comfort throughout all my procedures. I have never met a more infinitely talented and intelligent Dentist. She is a true asset to our community and this facility. Plainly put she rocks. RDH Susan Richmond is fun, kind, and professional. Susan handled my teeth cleaning appointments with care, explained the process thoroughly with step-by-step instructions, and allowed for questions and small talk in between. She also gave great advice and set meaningful expectations. Susan Richmond is a master of her craft. Am pleased with all the Staff at Community HealthCare - Hilltop Family Medical Clinic in Tacoma and am so grateful that we have these quality providers so close to home. THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH!!
Hrvoje Vucetic
2 years ago
Great staff great dentist and very nice friendly place!
Alicia Dawn Miranda
2 years ago
They all do an exceptional job here.
Gaila Gilliland
2 years ago
I see Dr. Porter at this clinic. He is a wonderful dentist and I absolutely love him. The staff are all equally great. The reason, therefore, for the one star review is because I am unable to call the office and get a person. This circumstance is not a one time deal either; I rarely can speak to a person before I am either cut off or I get tired of waiting. Earlier today I tried several times, the last time I was on hold for two hours. Yes! You read that correctly: two hours on hold! And the worst of it? Nobody ever did speak to me. Who is minding the shop? Apparently nobody.
laura love
3 years ago
I have anxiety and they addressed my fears and concerns and offered choices for helping to cope during dental work. I appreciate their kindness and attention to detail.
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