What First Choice Health Centers does

First Choice Health Centers (FCHC) is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) incorporated in 1996 and headquartered in East Hartford, Connecticut, that operates a network of 11 fixed sites across East Hartford, Manchester, and Vernon, supplemented by a school-based health center at Howell Cheney Technical High School and a fully equipped mobile health unit. The organization delivers integrated, multi-specialty ambulatory care including primary care, pediatrics, women's health, behavioral health, dental, optometry, podiatry, chiropractic, and infectious disease services, with specialty programs in LGBTQ+ health and medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders. Its core technology stack comprises an EHR-linked patient portal (eClinicalWeb), Luma Health for online appointment scheduling and prescription refill workflows, telehealth/telephone visit capabilities, a 340B-participating on-site pharmacy, and Stripe-processed online donations. The non-clinical operating footprint includes a multilingual English/Spanish provider base, same-day appointments, and after-hours on-call coverage.

FCHC's business model operates on a non-profit, mission-driven basis under FQHC designation, with FTCA malpractice deemed status and HRSA Section 330 federal grant funding. Revenue is generated through four primary streams: federal FQHC funding and grants (including foundation grants such as Dime Bank Foundation), insurance reimbursement from Medicaid/HUSKY, Medicare, and a broad list of commercial payers (Anthem, Aetna, Cigna, Connecticare, United HealthCare, Oxford, and several dental carriers), 340B pharmacy program economics, and a sliding-fee discount program for uninsured patients at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Go-to-market is community-led, deploying school-based sites, mobile health units, digital advertising, bilingual radio, and partnerships with Access Health CT and East Hartford Health & Human Services to reach uninsured and underinsured populations regardless of ability to pay.

FCHC's customer base spans uninsured and underinsured Connecticut residents, Medicaid/HUSKY enrollees, the LGBTQ+ community, children and adolescents, women and pregnant women, behavioral health patients, and dental patients; the dental program alone serves approximately 22,000 patients annually across 13 exam rooms. The center has earned Joint Commission accreditation, NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home recognition, the 2017 HRSA Health Center Quality Leader Award, and a 2022 Hartford Business Journal Healthcare Hero distinction, signaling institutional quality standing. Recent operational moves include the 2024 Quest Diagnostics clinical lab partnership and continued expansion of specialty service lines.

Name

First Choice Health Centers

Legal name

First Choice Health Centers, Inc.

Website

https://firstchc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

First Choice Health Centers is a non-profit Federally Qualified Health Center operating 11 sites across East Hartford, Manchester, and Vernon, Connecticut, delivering integrated primary, dental, behavioral, and specialty ambulatory care to uninsured, Medicaid, and underserved patients regardless of ability to pay.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Health Center Services

NAICS

Offices of Physicians (62111), Offices of Physicians (6211), All Other Outpatient Care Centers (621498), Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists) (621111)

SIC

Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Primary Care for Underserved Populations (e.g., migrant, homeless, refugee clinics) (HLAFAGAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Value-Based Primary Care Organizations (Risk-Bearing) (HLAFAGAF), Mobile & Street Medicine Primary Care Programs (HLAFAGAH), Primary Care & General Medical Services (EDALAFAA), Retail & Walk-In Primary Care Clinics (HLAFAGAC)

Keywords

• Community health services
• Primary care medicine
• Behavioral health treatment
• Dental care services
• Pharmacy services

Headquarters

HQ city

East Hartford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Federal FQHC Funding and Grants: As a Federally Qualified Health Center, First Choice Health Centers receives HHS funding and has federal Public Health Service deemed status. The organization also receives grant funding from foundations such as Dime Bank Foundation for specific programs.
2. Insurance Reimbursement: The organization accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and most major commercial insurances (Anthem, Aetna, Cigna, Connecticare, United HealthCare, Oxford for medical; Delta Dental, Guardian, Cigna Dental, Metlife, Anthem Dental for dental). Reimbursements from these payers constitute a primary revenue stream.
3. 340B Pharmacy Program: On-site pharmacy participates in the federal 340B drug pricing program, allowing purchase of medications at reduced prices and generating revenue through pharmacy services.
4. Sliding Fee Scale Program: For uninsured patients at or below 200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines, a sliding fee discount program is offered. Patients pay a minimum of $20 and provide proof of income to receive discounted services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

First Choice Health Centers is a Federally Qualified Health Center delivering integrated primary, preventive, behavioral, dental, pharmacy, and specialty healthcare through 11 Connecticut locations regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. The organization combines in-person clinical services with telehealth, school-based sites, a mobile health unit, and on-site 340B pharmacy pricing to serve underserved populations across East Hartford, Manchester, and Vernon.

Product overview

First Choice Health Centers operates as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) offering integrated healthcare services through a network of 11 locations in East Hartford, Manchester, and Vernon, Connecticut. The organization provides a comprehensive portfolio of clinical services including Primary Care, Pediatrics, Women's Health, Behavioral Health, Dental, Optometry, Podiatry, Chiropractic, and Infectious Disease services. Additional specialty offerings include LGBTQ+ Health Services, Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for alcohol and opioid use disorders, School-Based Health Centers with a Mobile Health Unit, and support services such as an On-Site Pharmacy, Care Coordination, Parents as Teachers, Chronic Care Management, and Dietitian/Nutritional Services. The health center serves patients regardless of insurance status or ability to pay, operating under a Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) model that emphasizes coordinated, team-based care.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Primary Care General medical care including treatment of acute and chronic illnesses, wellness visits, routine screenings, and disease management for conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and elevated cholesterol, available to patients regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.
• Pediatrics Healthcare services for children from birth to early adulthood, including preventive care, sick visits, newborn care, immunizations, physicals, vision and hearing screening, and chronic illness management.
• Women's Health Obstetric and gynecological services including family planning, prenatal care, ultrasounds, childbirth education, breast exams, STI treatment, and reproductive health services, with on-site screening mammograms via the Hartford Hospital mobile mammography van partnership.
• Behavioral Health Mental health and counseling services including individual, couples, and group therapy, substance abuse counseling, EMDR therapy, meditation, mindfulness, and stress reduction programs.
• Dental Family dental services including preventive care, dental X-rays, fillings, root canals, crowns, bridges, dentures, and oral surgery; the largest dental program in the region with offices in East Hartford, Manchester, and Vernon serving approximately 22,000 patients annually across 13 exam rooms.
• Optometry Eye care services including complete eye exams for the whole family, diabetic eye exams, emergency eye care, and a vision center with Medicaid-approved eyeglasses.
• Podiatry Foot and ankle care including treatment of warts, sprains, bunions, hammertoes, heel pain, corns, calluses, fractures, diabetic foot care, orthotics, prosthetics, and toenail fungus.
• Chiropractic Musculoskeletal care including treatment for back pain, neck pain, joint pain, sciatica, and osteoarthritis using flexion distraction therapy, percussion therapy, soft-tissue mobilization, and therapeutic exercises.
• Infectious Disease Treatment of acute and chronic infections including HIV screening and treatment, HIV prevention with PrEP, Hepatitis screening and treatment, STI screening and treatment, skin infections, and wound infections.
• Same-Day Doctor Visits Immediate medical attention for non-emergency issues requiring same-day appointments, available at East Hartford and Manchester locations.
• LGBTQ+ Health Services Comprehensive LGBTQ+ healthcare including PrEP and PEP for HIV prevention, HIV testing and treatment, STI screening, gender-affirming hormone therapy, anal pap tests, and Hepatitis C treatment at the 809 Main Street location.
• Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for Alcohol Use Disorder FDA-approved medication-assisted treatment for alcohol use disorder combined with therapy, available via telehealth and in-person care.
• Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for Opioid Use Disorder Treatment for opioid use disorder using buprenorphine prescription medication combined with therapy.
• School-Based Health Centers In-school healthcare services at Howell Cheney Technical High School providing primary care, behavioral health, and dental care, with a Mobile Health Unit extending dental services at schools throughout Connecticut.
• Mobile Health Unit Fully equipped mobile unit bringing dental hygiene, podiatry, routine screenings, and vaccinations directly to communities, schools, and senior centers.
• On-Site Pharmacy / 340B Program On-site pharmacy at 110 Connecticut Boulevard offering prescription medications including COVID vaccines, with 340B drug pricing program benefits for eligible patients.
• Care Coordination Assistance with care navigation, HUSKY enrollment, and connecting patients with community resources and specialists.
• Parents as Teachers Free voluntary program offering pregnancy education, newborn coaching, in-home support, childhood development screenings, and assistance securing WIC and community resources.
• Chronic Care Management Ongoing support and coordination for patients with multiple chronic conditions to manage their health between office visits.
• Dietitian / Nutritional Services Registered dietitian services including nutrition counseling, obesity counseling, diabetes management through diet, and heart-healthy eating education.

Quantifiable outcome

• Administered more than 11,735 COVID-19 vaccines
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Quest DiagnosticscoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership to offer clinical lab services like blood testing at multiple First Choice Health Centers locations including East Hartford (94 Connecticut Blvd, 110 Connecticut Blvd, 809 Main Street, 478 Burnside Ave) and Manchester (444 Center St, 250 North Main St).
• Hartford HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to offer onsite screening mammograms using Hartford Hospital's mobile mammography van parked at the 110 Connecticut Boulevard location in East Hartford twice a month.
• Access Health CTcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership to assist patients with enrolling in state health and dental insurance coverage including HUSKY Health. First Choice Health Centers has Care Coordinators who help patients apply for coverage at no cost.
• East Hartford Health & Human ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on community health survey to gather feedback from East Hartford residents about health needs and priorities.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves23 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Community Health Center, Inc. (CHC): Connecticut-based Federally Qualified Health Center operating a broad network of primary care, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy sites across the state. Direct comparable in FQHC model, integrated services, Medicaid population focus, and sliding fee scale.
• Fair Haven Community Health Center: New Haven, CT FQHC providing primary care, pediatrics, behavioral health, dental, and enabling services to underserved populations. Comparable as a multi-site CT FQHC serving Medicaid and uninsured patients with integrated care.
• Charter Oak Health Center: Hartford, CT-based FQHC offering primary care, pediatrics, behavioral health, dental, and pharmacy services to the Greater Hartford community. Directly comparable as a Hartford-area FQHC operating in an overlapping geography.
• Optimus Health Care: Bridgeport, CT FQHC operating multiple sites with primary care, dental, behavioral health, and specialty services for underserved populations. Comparable in FQHC status, integrated care model, and Connecticut Medicaid patient base.
• Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center: New Haven, CT FQHC providing comprehensive primary care, dental, behavioral health, and specialty services. Comparable in mission, scope of services, and patient population served in Connecticut.
• Generations Family Health Center: Willimantic, CT FQHC serving northeastern Connecticut with primary care, behavioral health, dental, and pharmacy services. Comparable as a multi-site CT FQHC operating under the same HRSA programmatic framework.
• United Community & Family Services: Southeastern Connecticut FQHC providing primary care, behavioral health, dental, and community programs. Comparable as a Connecticut FQHC serving underserved and Medicaid populations across multiple sites.

Broad incumbents

• Hartford HealthCare: Large Connecticut health system operating hospitals and ambulatory care, including community health access programs. Comparable as a regional healthcare delivery organization with overlapping primary care and behavioral health services in FCHC's geography.

Regional players

• Wheeler Clinic: Plainville, CT-based nonprofit providing behavioral health, primary care, and addiction services across central Connecticut. Comparable in mission (integrated behavioral/medical care for underserved populations) and overlap on behavioral health and MAT programs.

Others

• Quest Diagnostics: National clinical laboratory partner of FCHC, providing lab services on-site at multiple First Choice locations. Comparable as an ecosystem/infrastructure partner enabling integrated diagnostic services within the FQHC delivery model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/firstchc
• Xx.com/FCHealthCenters
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/first-choice-health-centers

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about First Choice Health Centers