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 2.8 out of 5 based on 19 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestJamie Lane
a year ago
Horrible place don't recommend it. The reception are rude. The Hispanic lady thinks she runs the place. The blonde nurse who thinks she Caucasian leaves her dog in there suv. Saw her walking out of her car and leave her dog in it. Overall I wish I could give a 0 star
janelle Wesson
2 years ago
This dentist used to be great but they are horrible now. All the good dentist that actually do something are gone. They won't even pull a tooth if they can send you elsewhere. My friend also used to go here and was extremely frustrated because they would not fix her cavity that was hurting really bad because they said "it's not bad enough." This is the 3rd time I have come in here in severe pain and nothing was done. This is my last time coming to this place. I do not recommend the dentist here at all. The only reason I gave them 2 stars is because the dental hygienist's are all wonderful and friendly. I have never had an issue with the dental hygienist here.
Grace Muchiri
2 years ago
Worst experience ever,ihad booked an appointment over a month ago&walked inn to my appointment &all they told me they called me this morning to reschedule my appointment just to realized they called wrong number&so had to wait for another month,how unprofessional is that,that wasn't my mistake,i wasted my day off
Tammy Shay
2 years ago
I had the best experience! Dr. Bear was gental and kind.
Leah D'Angelo
2 years ago
Not answering the phone when I tried call u you disconnected on me 3rd times how rude of you
Shelly Newman
2 years ago
Was not helpful. Couldn't help me and would not refer me somewhere else.
Amber Latimer
2 years ago
I came here because I had a piece of tooth left in my gums, that another dentist from else where, left in my mouth and wouldn't take out. These guys got me in right away and were so nice to me. I am terrified of dentists, and the assistant lady was so kind to me. She held my hand while the dentist got that piece out and even walked me to my car. I am so thankful for these guys because I was in a lot of pain from that piece of tooth. The whole time asking me if I was doing ok. Thank you!
Jessica Sawyer
2 years ago
Both of my kids go here and I am always amazed how wonderful they are treated and taken care of.
Jessica Sawyer
3 years ago
Both of my kids go here and I am always amazed how wonderful they are treated and taken care of.
Shelly Newman
3 years ago
Was not helpful. Couldn't help me and would not refer me somewhere else.
Lyndsi Smith
3 years ago
I dont normally leave reviews unless they are positive. I went in for a broken tooth, was told I needed a root canal and a crown which they couldn't help me with. I asked for the tooth to just be pulled, I was then told by the Dr, "well to do that I would have to go through a whole process and I would have to email another Dr. To have him do it". If you dont have the resources to help someone let them know before you waste over and hour of their time. The Dr. Also told me a root canal would not be covered by my dental insurance which was a lie. I called my insurance company after I left as well as looked at my benefit information. That procedure is covered. So in a nutshell I came to this location because I was in pain, wasted over an hour of my time to be told they couldn't/wouldn't help me.
Amber Latimer
3 years ago
I came here because I had a piece of tooth left in my gums, that another dentist from else where, left in my mouth and wouldn't take out. These guys got me in right away and were so nice to me. I am terrified of dentists, and the assistant lady was so kind to me. She held my hand while the dentist got that piece out and even walked me to my car. I am so thankful for these guys because I was in a lot of pain from that piece of tooth. The whole time asking me if I was doing ok. Thank you!
Doris Batton
3 years ago
This place was amazing, friendly. And efficient. Best dentist I've ever had. They listened and addressed all my needs. Very happy I chose to go there. I highly recommend it.
Jackie Rayford
3 years ago
I I was scheduled at 630am no problem there. But when I arrived I was not seen till 715am. Ok then after taking me back they let me know there was no hygenist scheduled. So day two same time still a problem.
Lyndsi Smith
3 years ago
I dont normally leave reviews unless they are positive. I went in for a broken tooth, was told I needed a root canal and a crown which they couldn't help me with. I asked for the tooth to just be pulled, I was then told by the Dr, "well to do that I would have to go through a whole process and I would have to email another Dr. To have him do it". If you dont have the resources to help someone let them know before you waste over and hour of their time. The Dr. Also told me a root canal would not be covered by my dental insurance which was a lie. I called my insurance company after I left as well as looked at my benefit information. That procedure is covered. So in a nutshell I came to this location because I was in pain, wasted over an hour of my time to be told they couldn't/wouldn't help me.
shawnee fuller
3 years ago
Nice dentists, not clear on what needs to be done though. & woman at the reception desk was very rude.
J
3 years ago
So this place is a complete joke went in for a broken tooth. They didn't even have a dentist look at they were just like referral for a root canal $900 will be needed for the crown. Went to another dentist he said my tooth is still ok just needs a filling the cavity hasn't touched the root why I have no pain so next week I get it filled. Do not let this place rip you off. They cared nothing about me they only cared about charging me and my insurance with the most expensive invasive procedure they could
Jackie Rayford
4 years ago
I I was scheduled at 630am no problem there. But when I arrived I was not seen till 715am. Ok then after taking me back they let me know there was no hygenist scheduled. So day two same time still a problem.
J
4 years ago
So this place is a complete joke went in for a broken tooth. They didn't even have a dentist look at they were just like referral for a root canal $900 will be needed for the crown. Went to another dentist he said my tooth is still ok just needs a filling the cavity hasn't touched the root why I have no pain so next week I get it filled. Do not let this place rip you off. They cared nothing about me they only cared about charging me and my insurance with the most expensive invasive procedure they could
shawnee fuller
4 years ago
Nice dentists, not clear on what needs to be done though. & woman at the reception desk was very rude.
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