What is a rural health clinic?
A rural health clinic is a specially certified medical center located in an area that has a shortage of primary care providers and/or health care services.
Though the Clinica Agua Viva team provides most of your care in the outpatient clinic, they also offer telemedicine and remote patient monitoring so you can get the medical attention you need at home. In some cases, they may arrange for a nurse to visit you at home or an assisted living facility.
What qualities define a rural health clinic?
Rural health clinics were created by the 1977 Rural Health Clinics Services Act, with the goal of increasing access to medical care for communities without sufficient services.
To qualify for funding from Medicare and Medicaid, rural health clinics must meet the following criteria:
Be in a rural area and underserved area
The United States Census Bureau identifies rural areas, and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) designates those that qualify as medically underserved areas (MUAs) due to a shortage of health care services.
HHS certifies rural health clinics based on four qualifications:
- Shortage of health care services for a specific geographical area
- Shortage of health care services for a specific group of people in a defined area
- Shortage of health care providers for a specific area
- Governor-designated and secretary-certified shortage area
To qualify for rural health clinic certification, the area must meet the HHS qualifications for the previous four years.
Follow a team approach
Rural health clinics rely on a team approach that includes physicians working together with other licensed providers such as nurse practitioners (NP), physician assistants (PA), certified nurse-midwives (CNM), clinical psychologists, and/or clinical social workers.
As part of the team approach, the rural health clinic also has arrangements with at least one hospital to provide services that aren’t available in the clinic.
Adhere to staffing requirements
Rural health clinics must have an NP, PA, or CNM on-site at least half of the time the office is open. Additionally, one qualified provider must be available to provide medical care at all times during the posted clinic hours
Remain prepared to treat emergencies
These specialized clinics must stay prepared to meet emergencies, ensuring they’re stocked with the medications and equipment needed to adequately treat most common emergencies.
Provide primary medical care
The team at a rural health clinic provides primary health care and some laboratory testing. They also treat mental health disorders, but the clinic doesn’t serve as a mental health or rehabilitation facility.
Meet quality and safety requirements
You can seek treatment with confidence, knowing your rural health clinic meets the state and federal health and safety requirements. The team also conducts an annual quality assessment and improvement program.
What services can I receive at a rural health clinic?
The rural health clinics offer the full range of services provided by experienced family medicine providers at Clinica Agua Viva.
Family medicine specialists diagnose and treat the vast array of health concerns facing people of all ages, including:
- Newborn and well-child visits
- Sick-patient visits
- Annual check-ups
- Care for minor injuries
- Preventive health care
- Vaccinations
- Women’s health (gynecological exams)
- Men’s health
- Weight loss management
- Chronic disease management
- Emergency care (including life-saving services)
- Behavioral and psychological health
- Pregnancy testing
- Urine analysis
- Blood testing (hemoglobin and hematocrit)
- Blood sugar testing
- Stool test for occult blood
- Specimen cultures
This list is far from comprehensive, but it gives you a good idea of the exceptional care you can expect to get at the rural health clinic.
What Insurances are accepted by Clinica Agua Viva?
Clinica Agua Viva accepts private, Medicare, and Medi-Cal insurances. As well as managed Medi-Cal insurances including:
- LaSalle
- Dignity Health
- Health Net
If you have any questions about the services available or problems you may experience, call Clinica Agua Viva or book an appointment online today.
How do I swtich my Primary Care Provider to Clinica Agua Viva?
Patients with Medi-Cal, Medicare, Private Insurance, or other types of insurance will likely need to change their Primary Care Provider before being seen at Clinica Agua Viva. To do this, please complete the following two steps:
Step 1: Call the ‘Member Services’ number on the back of your insurance card.
Step 2: Inform the representative that you want to change your Primary Care Provider (PCP) to Erick Madrigal in Lindsay, CA.
Example: “Hello Dignity Health Managed Medi-Cal representative, I would like to inform you that I want to change my PCP to Erick Madrigal in Lindsay, California.”
Sliding Fee Discount Program
Our clinic offers a sliding fee discount program. The sliding fee discount program is available based on family size and income.
No one will be denied access to services due to their inability to pay.
Extended Hours
Our extended hours for the purpose of vaccinations for children, including the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children are:
April 11 - May 5th
Monday - Thursday
5 PM - 6 PM
