The New Growth Strategy: School-Based Health Centers

The Opportunity

The next frontier for healthcare service delivery is meeting people where they are: in their homes, in schools, in businesses. Genesis Health Consulting partnered with a nationally recognized federally qualified health center (FQHC) to develop a strategy to expand school-based services, defend and grow market share, and improve patient access to care.

Approach

Genesis analyzed national best practices in school-based health centers and surveyed local assets and student health needs within the FQHC’s service area. Based on the analysis, Genesis developed a school-based health center model designed to meet the needs of students and parents served by the FQHC. The model included guidance on selecting and calibrating specific services within the center, staffing models, patient ratios, billing practices, and recommended performance and outcome measures to ensure ongoing financial sustainability and optimal market growth. Finally, Genesis designed a tool and process to evaluate potential school partners for center expansion, and provided guidance on what additional data and investments would be material to the long-term success of this service line.

Outcomes

The FQHC successfully expanded pediatric health services from their original in-school clinic to three additional schools. Furthermore, tools Genesis developed to evaluate future expansion options have enabled the FQHC to make ongoing strategic investments for sustainable growth. The FQHC now provides in-school services within nineteen schools in the Midwest.

Key Success Factor

Providing the client with options for bundled and “a la carte” school-based services, and pairing the model design with tools to assess ongoing population need and operational sustainability factors, enabled the FQHC to deploy and sustain school-based services in a highly dynamic healthcare market.