Bluestem Health
Bluestem Health is a nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, founded in 2003, operating five integrated clinic locations that deliver primary medical, dental, behavioral health, and 340B pharmacy services to approximately 21,000 Medicaid, Medicare, uninsured, and underinsured patients.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersLincoln, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Bluestem Health does
Bluestem Health is a private, nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska, providing integrated primary medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services across five locations to approximately 21,000 patients in the Lincoln Metropolitan Area and Lancaster County. The organization was founded in 2003 and operates as a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)-deemed health center with Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) malpractice coverage, enabling it to serve Medicaid, Medicare, uninsured, and underinsured populations regardless of insurance status. Core service lines include family medicine, pediatrics, acute and preventive care, on-site X-ray and lab testing, comprehensive dental care, behavioral health (including mental health, addiction, and trauma-informed therapy), and 340B pharmacy services at two co-located sites operated in partnership with Genoa Healthcare.
The revenue model is a hybrid of Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement (PPS / cost-based FQHC rates), federal HRSA grant funding, the 340B drug pricing program (with contract pharmacy arrangements spanning CVS, Walgreens, Kohll's, and Walmart), self-pay fees (approximately $100 per office visit at time of service), and a Sliding Fee Discount Program that charges $30–$70 for patients at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. Patient-facing technology consists of a Medfusion/NextGen patient portal, Phreesia online registration (with multilingual support across 17+ languages), and Doxy.me telehealth. The organization is governed by a board of directors and led by CEO Brad Meyer (FACMPE), CFO Jacque Fanning (CPA, CGMA), COO Shane Ludwig, and CMO Dr. Michael Israel, with a workforce of 51–100 employees. Bluestem Health is currently operating, but has publicly disclosed a $600,000 annual revenue exposure to proposed Medicaid work requirements under H.R. 1, which could affect approximately 3,150 of its 21,000 patients.
Bluestem Health firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Bluestem Health
- Legal name
- Bluestem Health
- Website
- https://bluestemlincoln.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Bluestem Health is a nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, founded in 2003, operating five integrated clinic locations that deliver primary medical, dental, behavioral health, and 340B pharmacy services to approximately 21,000 Medicaid, Medicare, uninsured, and underinsured patients.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Bluestem Health industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Health Center Services (FQHC)
- NAICS
- Ambulatory Health Care Services (621), Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), All Other Outpatient Care Centers (621498)
- SIC
- Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Community Health Centers (FQHCs & Look-Alikes) (HLAFAGAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Community & Public Health Dentistry Clinics (FQHC/School-Based/Nonprofit) (HLABAAAF), Outpatient Mental Health Clinics & Counseling Centers (HLAFACAA)
Keywords
Where Bluestem Health is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lincoln
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
Bluestem Health business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Medicaid Reimbursement: As a Federally Qualified Health Center, Bluestem Health receives Medicaid reimbursement for services provided to Medicaid enrollees. The organization estimates losing $600,000 annually if approximately 15% of its 21,000 patients are disenrolled from Medicaid under new work requirements.
- Medicare Reimbursement: Bluestem Health accepts Medicare insurance at all locations and receives reimbursement for services provided to Medicare beneficiaries.
- Self-Pay and Sliding Fee Discount: Self-pay patients are charged approximately $100 at time of visit with remaining balance billed later. A Sliding Fee Discount Program is available for patients at 200% or below Federal Poverty Limits, with nominal fees ranging from $30-$70 for office visits.
- 340B Pharmacy Program: As a Federally Qualified Health Center, Bluestem Health participates in the 340B drug pricing program, allowing them to offer significant discounts on medications and pass savings to patients. The program enables the organization to care for vulnerable populations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Sliding Fee Discount Program for low-income patients |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Self-pay patients |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Dental initial visit for uninsured/Medicaid patients |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels8 records
Marketing channels6 records
Bluestem Health product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Bluestem Health is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) providing integrated primary medical care, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services across five clinic locations in Lincoln, Nebraska. Services are delivered to all patients regardless of insurance status, with a Sliding Fee Discount Program for low-income patients and on-site 340B pharmacies offering discounted medications.
Product overview
Bluestem Health is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) operating in Lincoln, Nebraska since 2003, providing integrated healthcare services through a multi-location clinic network. The organization offers a unified platform of healthcare services comprising Primary Medical Care (family medicine, pediatrics, acute care, preventive care, immunizations, lab testing, X-ray services), Dental Health (examinations, restorative and preventive dentistry, emergency dental care), Pharmacy Services (340B on-site pharmacies with delivery and prior authorization support), Behavioral Health (mental health counseling, addiction services, trauma-informed therapy), and Health Education (diabetes education, nutrition counseling, chronic disease management). The clinics include Main Clinic, Thompson Clinic, Kreshel Clinic, Pediatric Clinic at Health 360, and Dental Clinic at Main. Patient-facing digital services include a Patient Portal powered by Medfusion/NextGen, Telehealth via Doxy.me, and Online Registration via Phreesia. Patient Support Services assist with Medicaid, SNAP, sliding fee discounts, and medication access programs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Primary Medical Care Comprehensive family medicine and pediatric services including acute care, annual physicals, immunizations, lab testing, chronic disease management, preventive care, routine visits, and well-child exams. On-site X-ray services available at Kreshel Clinic.
- Dental Health Full-service dental care including examinations, X-rays, emergency dental care, periodontal treatment, preventive and restorative dentistry, root canal treatment, tooth extractions, and routine teeth cleaning.
- Pharmacy Services On-site pharmacies at Kreshel Clinic and Pediatric Clinic at Health 360 offering full-service pharmacy with prefilled pill organizers, delivery options, prior authorization assistance, refill synchronization, and immunization services. Operates as a 340B pharmacy with up to 50% medication cost savings.
- Behavioral Health Integrated behavioral healthcare including mental health services, addiction and substance abuse support, trauma-informed therapy, and psychiatric care for anxiety, depression, stress management, PTSD, and grief counseling.
- Health Education Health education programs including breastfeeding and lactation education, diabetes education, chronic disease management, and nutrition education services provided free of charge to patients.
- Patient Support Services Enrollment assistance for sliding fee discounts, Health Insurance Marketplace, Medicaid, SNAP, Aid to Dependent Children (ADC), and medication access programs. Includes interpreter services and community outreach.
- Emergency Dental Clinic Walk-in emergency dental clinic held Thursdays 7:45 AM to 4:00 PM at Main Clinic. Open to both existing patients and new patients. Services include limited exams, X-rays, palliative treatments, extractions, and fillings.
- Telehealth Online doctor visits and consults via secure video platform (Doxy.me), offering alternative to in-person visits including urgent needs and phone or telehealth therapy sessions.
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 50% medication cost savings through 340B pharmacy program
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Bluestem Health
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Bluestem Health technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration9 records
Bluestem Health partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Genoa HealthcarecorePartnership with Genoa Healthcare provides on-site pharmacy services at Kreshel Clinic and Pediatric Clinic at Health 360 locations. Genoa Healthcare manages pharmacy operations including prefilled pill organizers, proactive outreach calls, medication delivery, and prior authorization assistance.
- Bryan HealthcoreThompson Clinic is located in the Bryan Health West Medical Plaza, 2222 S 16th Street. Bryan Health is a major healthcare provider in the Lincoln area, and Bluestem Health operates within their facility.
- CVS PharmacyminorContracted pharmacy partner for 340B drug pricing program services, providing medication access options for Bluestem Health patients.
- Kohll's PharmacyminorContracted pharmacy partner for 340B drug pricing program services, providing medication access options for Bluestem Health patients.
- WalgreensminorContracted pharmacy partner for 340B drug pricing program services, providing medication access options for Bluestem Health patients.
- WalmartminorContracted pharmacy partner for 340B drug pricing program services, providing medication access options for Bluestem Health patients.
- Nebraska Total Care (NTC)coreMedicaid managed care plan accepted at Bluestem Health. Serves Medicaid enrollees in Nebraska.
- UnitedHealthcare Community (UHC)coreMedicaid managed care plan accepted at Bluestem Health. Serves Medicaid enrollees in Nebraska.
- College of DentistryminorReferral partner for complex dental procedures such as impacted wisdom tooth extraction. Patients requiring specialized dental care are referred to the College of Dentistry or oral surgeons in the community.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Bluestem Health competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- OneWorld Community Health Centers: Omaha, Nebraska-based FQHC delivering integrated medical, dental, and behavioral health services to underserved populations under the same HRSA Health Center Program model as Bluestem Health. Closest comparable given shared geography, payer mix, and FQHC operating model.
- Charles Drew Health Center: Omaha, Nebraska-based FQHC providing primary care, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services to Medicaid and uninsured patients via HRSA Health Center Program funding. Direct FQHC peer with similar service mix and population.
- AltaMed Health Services: Large California-based FQHC network providing integrated medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services under 340B with sliding-fee programs. Highly comparable FQHC model at greater scale, illustrating the integrated safety-net thesis.
- Heartland Health Centers: Chicago-area FQHC offering primary care, dental, behavioral health, and care coordination to underserved populations. Comparable FQHC operating model with similar integrated service offerings and sliding-fee access.
- Whittier Street Health Center: Boston-based FQHC delivering integrated primary care, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services in a similar community health model with HRSA designation. Comparable integrated FQHC peer.
- Good Neighbor Community Health Center: Midwest-based FQHC providing primary medical, dental, and behavioral health services under sliding-fee programs to Medicaid and uninsured patients. Direct FQHC peer with similar service breadth and population.
- Nebraska Urban Indian Health Coalition: Nebraska-based urban Indian health center providing integrated primary care, behavioral health, and pharmacy services under HRSA funding. Direct FQHC peer serving similar underserved Nebraska populations.
Broad incumbents
- Oak Street Health: CVS Health-owned value-based primary care provider focused on low-income Medicare beneficiaries with integrated pharmacy and behavioral services. Comparable operating model (integrated primary care for underserved seniors on government insurance) at much greater scale.
- ChenMed: Value-based primary care group serving low-income, chronically ill senior patients via integrated medical, pharmacy, and specialist services. Compares on patient population (government-insured, high-need) and integrated care delivery model.
Others
- Bryan Health: Large regional health system in Lincoln, Nebraska and existing facility partner of Bluestem Health (hosts Thompson Clinic in Bryan Health West Medical Plaza). Comparable as a Lincoln primary care/dental/behavioral health ecosystem participant and partnership counterparty.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Bluestem Health social profiles
Digital presenceBluestem Health compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance7 records
Bluestem Health financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Bluestem Health leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Bluestem Health funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Bluestem Health M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Bluestem Health
What does Bluestem Health do?
Bluestem Health is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) providing integrated primary medical care, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services across five clinic locations in Lincoln, Nebraska. Services are delivered to all patients regardless of insurance status, with a Sliding Fee Discount Program for low-income patients and on-site 340B pharmacies offering discounted medications.
Is Bluestem Health a public or private company?
Bluestem Health is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Bluestem Health founded?
Bluestem Health was founded in 2003. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Bluestem Health based?
Bluestem Health is headquartered in Lincoln, United States, in the North America region.
How does Bluestem Health make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Medicaid Reimbursement is the primary driver. The others are medicare Reimbursement, self-Pay and Sliding Fee Discount and 340B Pharmacy Program.
Who are Bluestem Health's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are OneWorld Community Health Centers, Charles Drew Health Center, AltaMed Health Services, Heartland Health Centers, Whittier Street Health Center, Good Neighbor Community Health Center and Nebraska Urban Indian Health Coalition. Broad incumbents are Oak Street Health and ChenMed. Bryan Health is listed as an others.
Does Bluestem Health have an API?
No public API is recorded for Bluestem Health.
What industry is Bluestem Health in?
Bluestem Health's product category is Community Health Center Services (FQHC). Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAFAGAB, Community Health Centers (FQHCs & Look-Alikes), with a secondary code of HLABAAAF, Community & Public Health Dentistry Clinics (FQHC/School-Based/Nonprofit). Its NAICS code is 621 and its SIC code is 8011.