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 3.6 out of 5 based on 23 reviews
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2 years ago
Grateful for all they do. As a student in college, they have been a lifesaver. The staff is always professional and polite. I have never felt like I was waiting a long time. Always within a reasonable time.
Penny Mccormick
2 years ago
Hands down the best, most gentle and kind, intelligent dentist I've ever seen in my 25 years of life. Dr.Morales was so gentle with something as harsh as an extraction. I don't know how he did it. Highly recommend him, and his assistant Amber was also AMAZING. Dynamic duo.
Kleybi K. Urrutia Andreakis
2 years ago
(Translated by Google) I'd give it zero stars but I can't. In this place my sister made an appointment and in the confirmation message they told her that 2 people could enter, but when they came they said no that there was only one person who could enter that they already knew that in the message it said that 2 but only 1 could enter because we tried to tell them that the message said 2 and they didn't even apologize or anything just this is lousy they don't have any professionalism at all serious, but other people went to the bathroom to ask something nothing else and well they left them my sister, daughter, to receive very important news and that is why she wanted to be present was an important logo for us and they didn't. This location does not work. I do not recommend it. It is a fraud. (Original) Le pondria cero estrellas pero no puedo. En este lugar mi hermana hizo una cita y en el mensaje de confirmacion Le pusieron que podian entrar 2 personas, pero al momento de venir dijeron que no que solo Hera una persona la que podia entrar que ya sabian que en el mensaje decia que 2 pero solo 1 podia entrar porque le tratamos de decir que el mensaje decia 2 y ni siquiera se disculparon ni nada simplemente esto esta pesimo no tienen nada de profesionalismo nada de seriedad, pero otras personas iban al bano a preguntar algo nada mas y bien que las dejaban pasar mi hermana hija a recibir noticias muy importantes y por eso queria estar presente era logo importante para nosotros y no lo hicieron. Esta localidad no sirve No la recomiendo es un fraude.
KLEYBI URRUTIA
3 years ago
(Translated by Google) I'd give it zero stars but I can't. In this place my sister made an appointment and in the confirmation message they told her that 2 people could enter, but when they came they said no that there was only one person who could enter that they already knew that in the message it said that 2 but only 1 could enter because we tried to tell them that the message said 2 and they didn't even apologize or anything just this is lousy they don't have any professionalism at all serious, but other people went to the bathroom to ask something nothing else and well they left them my sister, daughter, to receive very important news and that is why she wanted to be present was an important logo for us and they didn't. This location does not work. I do not recommend it. It is a fraud. (Original) Le pondria cero estrellas pero no puedo. En este lugar mi hermana hizo una cita y en el mensaje de confirmacion Le pusieron que podian entrar 2 personas, pero al momento de venir dijeron que no que solo Hera una persona la que podia entrar que ya sabian que en el mensaje decia que 2 pero solo 1 podia entrar porque le tratamos de decir que el mensaje decia 2 y ni siquiera se disculparon ni nada simplemente esto esta pesimo no tienen nada de profesionalismo nada de seriedad, pero otras personas iban al bano a preguntar algo nada mas y bien que las dejaban pasar mi hermana hija a recibir noticias muy importantes y por eso queria estar presente era logo importante para nosotros y no lo hicieron. Esta localidad no sirve No la recomiendo es un fraude.
Marwin P
3 years ago
The lady who clean teeth in 2018 left me a bloody mess, so I waited two years when she'd be replaced only to get denied and put on a waiting list. Though, the Doctor who denied was clearly doing harder work own other patients, so I'm disappointed and confused.
Marjorie Jimenez
3 years ago
My family and I have never experienced any issues with this facility, yes the ladies at blood work can come out as rude but I didn't think they meant too , other wise I recommend this place 100% friends and family.
tina coy
4 years ago
You deserve a zero, but unfortunately you can not give a zero star rating. These people are rude and do not know what custom service is. I think that businesses should train their employees on the proper way to treat their customers/patients. I am amazed.
Marwin P
4 years ago
The lady who clean teeth in 2018 left me a bloody mess, so I waited two years when she'd be replaced only to get denied and put on a waiting list. Though, the Doctor who denied was clearly doing harder work own other patients, so I'm disappointed and confused.
Marjorie Jimenez
4 years ago
My family and I have never experienced any issues with this facility, yes the ladies at blood work can come out as rude but I didn't think they meant too , other wise I recommend this place 100% friends and family.
T G
4 years ago
The one and only community clinic in Lakewood
Janice Hale
4 years ago
I had a cracked tooth and my dentist got me in on time. Did a great job taking my tooth out I'm in NO pain. This is the way dental appointment should be all the time. My dentist is great. I give him 10 + .
tina coy
4 years ago
You deserve a zero, but unfortunately you can not give a zero star rating. These people are rude and do not know what custom service is. I think that businesses should train their employees on the proper way to treat their customers/patients. I am amazed.
Angela Mccorkle
4 years ago
Great place to come and help
T G
5 years ago
The one and only community clinic in Lakewood
Angela Mccorkle
5 years ago
Great place to come and help
Janice Hale
5 years ago
I had a cracked tooth and my dentist got me in on time. Did a great job taking my tooth out I'm in NO pain. This is the way dental appointment should be all the time. My dentist is great. I give him 10 + .
Princess Christy
5 years ago
My case was pretty complex and I was an anxious mess. However they went above and beyond to offer me AMAZING care. They were truly amazing! One thing I got was my wisdom tooth removed with local anesthesia. I kind you not, I felt nothing! It was amazing , very informative , patient and caring. I will continue to come here. Doctor Rhee and Bobby were great! I just cannot say it enough !
Jessica Todd
5 years ago
My dentist DIMITRIOS MARAGAKIS is the BEST dentist I have ever had! I've been going here for a couple years now , about once every month (I have a lot of work to be done) he has made my teeth so much better Im not embarrassed to smile anymore. I have high anxiety issues but he is so kind and comforting, yet efficient and proffessional. I am no longer afraid of getting dental work done. I am so appreciative of him. THANK YOU
Performance & customs
5 years ago
This place is ridiculous.. Your first visit they only take xrays .. You don't even get your teeth cleaned . I don't think ill ever be back here!
Jessica Todd
6 years ago
My dentist DIMITRIOS MARAGAKIS is the BEST dentist I have ever had! I've been going here for a couple years now , about once every month (I have a lot of work to be done) he has made my teeth so much better Im not embarrassed to smile anymore. I have high anxiety issues but he is so kind and comforting, yet efficient and proffessional. I am no longer afraid of getting dental work done. I am so appreciative of him. THANK YOU
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