We provide improved access to primary care, behavioral healthcare and oral health care services for medically underserved individuals in Central Missouri regardless of their ability to pay. Community Health Center of Central Missouri was established in 2005 to serve the primary healthcare needs of Central Missouri residents. We realize that providing primary care services is much more than just providers and facilities. Quality of care, customer service, disease management, value and convenience are also key parts of the service delivery process. Community Health Center emphasizes providing access to primary care services to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay and works with our community partners to achieve our vision of "embracing people, inspiring health". CHCCMO is a Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) deemed facility.
Services Offered
Behavioral Health - An estimated one in 10 U.S. adults report depression, which in addition to taking a heavy emotional toll, can worsen many physical ailments, including asthma, cancer, chronic pain, and obesity. In central Missouri, nearly 20% of the adult population reports struggling with some emotional or psychological issue in the past year. At the Community Health Center of Central Missouri, we recognize the importance of good psychological health and its role in an individual's overall healthcare. Our behavioral health services are provided by social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists in collaboration with primary care services. This ensures that our patients can receive all of the services that they need within our clinic. We recognize that not all pain is physical.
Fees and Payment
We accept most medical insurance such as MoHealthnet, Home State Health Plan, Healthcare USA, Medicare, Healthlink etc. and our Community Health Center of Central Missouri offers a Sliding Fee Discount based on the Federal Poverty Guidelines to assist uninsured patients in receiving quality care. Patients cannot be seen on the Sliding Fee program until they have completed the necessary paperwork and enrollment process.
A community counseling agency is a group therapy practice that offers affordable mental health services. Most are independent non-profit agencies, state agencies, or publicly-funded agencies. A few may restrict who is eligible for services, so it is a good idea to check when you call.
Community counseling agencies are generally more affordable than other therapy providers, but how much more affordable they are will depend on whether you qualify for a discount or sliding scale fee (or if they accept your insurance). Many, but not all, have a policy that they won't turn away anyone due to inability to pay. You should ask about their fees when you first call.
Expect to talk to kind people who want to help you find the care you need. Most community agencies strive to connect you with a live person within 24 hours, if not immediately. If you're asked to hold or leave a message, don't give up; just leave a message and wait. You should hear back pretty quickly.
Most agencies try to set up an initial assessment appointment within a week (some do within 24 hours), though the waitlist to start therapy is usually longer—about a few weeks on average. If you're not eligible or if the agency is not right for you, it's usually still worth it to call or drop in, because staff are knowledgeable about local options and can often refer you to one.
