Understanding Your Options for Black Health Care

We all know the healthcare system can be a headache.

There are doctors to navigate, insurance issues, problems with transportation, hefty bills and fees, and last but not least, differences in physician opinions. Just when you think you have it figured out, something can come out of left field and leave you dazed.

For Black patients, especially, this is known all too well. Whether it’s economic challenges or trouble finding culturally sensitive doctors, the barriers to quality healthcare are everywhere.

This is why it’s vital that you understand the exact options at your disposal, and what they mean to you. From major metropolitan areas to underserved communities, the resources vary far and wide.

So what do you choose?

Should you go to a hospital? How about a community health center or federally qualified health center (FQHC)? As a Black patient, your final decision can make a world of difference in the care you receive and the health outcomes you experience.

Let’s cover everything you need to know about your options…

Hospitals

When we think of healthcare and specialized treatment, we usually think of hospitals. From emergency rooms to invasive surgeries and procedures, hospitals offer a great range of healthcare services. They also usually employ specialists across medical fields, meaning you can typically find the right expert for your ailment.

Many hospitals are also associated with academic institutions, which can further help deliver cutting-edge treatments and professionals focused on health equity. In other words, you won’t be turned away because of your race, gender, sex, or anything else.

In fact, many academic medical systems are specifically concerned with culturally competent care. This is because they’re deep in research and outreach, so if you’re dealing with something, say, that is more prevalent among the Black population (i.e., diabetes, sickle cell, or cardiovascular disease), you’re probably in a good place.

Just be careful, and do your research. Hospitals associated with colleges and universities will usually make it clear if they provide diverse, inclusive services. By looking online, sending a few emails, or even visiting the site yourself, you can learn a lot about the level of health equity.

But here’s something to remember. While hospitals can provide amazing services, such as 24/7 emergency care, advanced technologies, and multidisciplinary teams, all these offerings also come at a cost.

Hospitals typically cost more than other healthcare facilities. You may also have to endure long waiting times, especially in certain emergency areas. And, in the case of hospitals that aren’t academically associated, you have a greater likelihood of encountering health inequities.

Unless there are clear and stated priorities for culturally competent care, you may find that hospitals treat you more like a lab specimen, rather than a human being with unique experiences and concerns.

Community Health Centers

This brings us to community health centers, which are different from hospitals in several ways.

Firstly, community health centers are specifically designed to help underserved populations, whether they be in inner cities, low-socioeconomic areas, remote locations, or anything else. This may be especially useful to Black patients who have been marginalized by other healthcare facilities.

With community health centers, many of the common barriers to care are cleared. Language barriers, transportation challenges, issues paying the bill – these can all be overcome through community health centers.

Community centers are also different from hospitals in that they are more likely to provide preventative care, especially for chronic diseases. And if you have trouble paying, don’t worry. Services are provided based on your income, so even if you have poor insurance or no insurance, you can still receive the care you need.

A final benefit of community health centers is their educational offerings. These can make a massive difference, particularly as it relates to lifelong conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and more. You can learn diet tips, exercise routines, and stress reduction techniques – all in-house!

But don’t forget: Although these centers have affordable payment options and culturally competent care, they’re not perfect. In most cases, community health centers do not have the access to specialists that hospitals have. You also may have to spend a lot of time waiting, as many people in the community are seeking tailored services just like you.

So keep that in mind as you consider your options, and if hospitals and community health centers don’t seem right for you, consider another option…

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)

So-called FQHCs aren’t all that different from community health centers – but there’s a catch.

They’re able to provide comprehensive care because all their funding comes from the federal government. Many community health centers are different, often receiving their funding from sources such as state and local government, Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements, private insurance payments, grants, and patient payments.

With FQHCs, however, the federal funding means that these facilities must meet very rigorous standards.

For Black patients in need of a wide range of services, FQHCs are a very strong option. Whether it’s primary care, mental health therapy, dental care, pharmaceutical needs, or other healthcare demands, FQHCs can provide it.

Another benefit is the inclusion of diverse and equitable staff. Cultural competence is a big priority, which makes FQHCs a top environment for removing implicit biases and discrimination in access to medical care.

However, all potential patients should consider the limitations as well. Due to their comprehensive care and specialized services, FQHCs can be hard to find. They’re not as widely available as other types of healthcare facilities and also may fluctuate in the services they provide due to funding.

If the funding isn’t there due to the inability to meet rigorous standards, patients may be left out to dry.

So keep this all in mind as you weigh your options and consider your needs.

What is most important to you? Do you need accessibility, somewhere you can travel to by car or bus? Do you want telehealth options you can enjoy from home?

How about costs? Is affordability a must, even more so than culturally competent care or specialization?

Are you looking online through patient reviews and experiences, discovering cultural sensitivity or insensitivity?

No matter your needs, it’s important to always advocate for yourself. Ask relevant questions without fear or insecurity. When you go in person, come with a family member or friend, and don’t forget to seize the opportunities you have. Resources, especially those aligned with the Black community, can go a long way in getting you the care you need.

At the end of the day, it’s your personal decision. But with the right guidance, some research, and an understanding of your needs, you can get the quality healthcare you deserve!

By Evan Bollinger | Published December 13, 2024