Unity Care NW
Unity Care NW is a nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center in Whatcom County, Washington, providing integrated primary medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services to 24,750 patients annually across six sites, serving a low-income, Medicaid-insured, and homeless population.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1984
- HeadquartersBellingham, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Unity Care NW does
Unity Care NW is a nonprofit, Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) founded in 1984 and headquartered in Bellingham, Washington, providing integrated primary medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services across six physical sites in Whatcom County (Bellingham and Ferndale), supplemented by telehealth and The Way Station hygiene center. The organization serves approximately 24,750 patients annually — over 10% of Whatcom County residents — with a patient population skewed toward low-income, Medicaid-insured, and homeless individuals (45% below federal poverty level; 15% experiencing homelessness versus an 8% national FQHC average). Clinical and operational technology centers on the Epic electronic medical record system delivered through OCHIN's MyChart patient portal, supporting care coordination, integrated population health reporting (e.g., 90% depression screening, 82% diabetes control), and the 340B Drug Pricing Program that underwrites in-house pharmacy services to 7,800+ patients annually.
The revenue model is a hybrid of patient service fees billed to Medicaid (Apple Health), Medicare, and private insurance, federal HRSA grants and enhanced FQHC reimbursement, 340B pharmacy program spread, and foundation/corporate donations. Pricing is delivered through a Sliding Fee Discount Program based on household size and income, supplemented by free certified insurance enrollment assistance. Distribution is purely direct-to-consumer across physical locations, telehealth, in-house pharmacy, on-site Quest Diagnostics lab, school-based children's services, and The Way Station walk-in facility for individuals experiencing homelessness. The go-to-market relies on community partnerships (PeaceHealth, Opportunity Council, United Way, Whatcom Community Foundation), earned media, and word-of-mouth rather than traditional marketing. Under CEO Jodi Joyce's six-year tenure ending with a planned 2026 retirement, the organization grew patient volume 26%, annual revenue 45%, and fund balance/assets 61%, while securing a perfect score on its 2024 HRSA Operational Site Visit and Gold Advocacy Center of Excellence status from NACHC through 2027.
Unity Care NW firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Unity Care NW
- Legal name
- Unity Care NW
- Website
- https://unitycarenw.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1984
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Unity Care NW is a nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center in Whatcom County, Washington, providing integrated primary medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services to 24,750 patients annually across six sites, serving a low-income, Medicaid-insured, and homeless population.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Unity Care NW industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Health Services
- NAICS
- Ambulatory Health Care Services (621), Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420)
- SIC
- Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Community Health Centers (FQHCs & Look-Alikes) (HLAFAGAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Outpatient Mental Health Clinics & Counseling Centers (HLAFACAA)
Keywords
Where Unity Care NW is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bellingham
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices6 records
Markets served
Unity Care NW business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Patient Services Revenue: Revenue generated from providing medical, dental, pharmacy, and behavioral health services to patients. Services are billed to insurance including Medicaid (Apple Health), Medicare, and private insurance. A sliding fee discount program is available for uninsured patients based on household size and income.
- 340B Drug Pricing Program: The 340B program allows health centers to purchase medications at a discounted price, enabling reinvestment into comprehensive services. This program helps fund medical, dental, pharmacy, mental health, substance use treatment, and case management services.
- Federal Health Center Funding: Unity Care NW receives HHS funding and has Federal Public Health Service deemed status. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, they receive federal grants and enhanced reimbursement rates through the Health Center Program.
- Donations and Foundation Support: Community donations and foundation grants support specific programs like the Extend-A-Hand pharmacy assistance program. Organizations including Whatcom Community Foundation, Chuckanut Health Foundation, and North Sound ACH have provided funding.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | Pay-as-you-go | Sliding Fee Discount Program based on household income and size |
| Subscription | Monthly | Insurance-based billing (Medicaid, Medicare, Private Insurance) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels6 records
Unity Care NW product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Unity Care NW is a nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) providing integrated primary medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services to patients of all ages across multiple locations in Whatcom County, Washington. Services are delivered regardless of patients' ability to pay through a Sliding Fee Discount Program, with insurance accepted from Medicaid (Apple Health), Medicare, and private carriers. The organization also operates specialized programs including The Way Station hygiene center for individuals experiencing homelessness, Extend-A-Hand pharmacy assistance, and Veggie Rx produce vouchers.
Product overview
Unity Care NW is a nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) providing comprehensive, integrated healthcare services through a multi-location network in Whatcom County, Washington. The organization operates as a unified care platform offering Medical, Dental, Pharmacy, and Behavioral Health services at its core, supplemented by specialized programs including pediatrics, telehealth, immunizations, and population health initiatives. Key distinct offerings include The Way Station Health & Hygiene Center for individuals experiencing homelessness, the Extend-A-Hand pharmacy assistance program, Veggie Rx produce voucher program, Sliding Fee Discount Program, and Insurance Enrollment Assistance. The organization served 24,750 patients in 2024 across four health centers, providing care regardless of ability to pay.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- The Way Station: Health & Hygiene Center for individuals experiencing homelessness, providing showers, laundry, restrooms, walk-in medical and behavioral health services, substance use counseling, and connection to housing support services.
- Extend-A-Hand
- Veggie Rx Program
Products and services
- Medical Services Primary medical care for patients of all ages including preventive care, chronic disease management, and treatment of acute conditions, offered regardless of ability to pay.
- Dental Services Comprehensive dental care including adult dental, children's dental services, and urgent dental care at Bellingham and Ferndale locations.
- Pharmacy In-house pharmacy at 218 Unity Street in Bellingham offering prescription fulfillment, immunizations, medication management, and 340B-discounted medications; serves more than 7,800 patients annually.
- Behavioral Health Mental health and substance use services including therapy, psychiatric services, crisis intervention, and same-day behavioral health connections; includes the Children's Play and Art Therapy program.
- Children's Services Comprehensive pediatric care including well-child visits, immunizations, developmental screenings, and specialized children's dental services.
- Telehealth Virtual healthcare visits for medical and behavioral health consultations, expanding access for patients who cannot visit physical locations.
- The Way Station Health & Hygiene Center Walk-in facility providing showers, laundry, restrooms, immediate medical and behavioral health care, substance use counseling, and medical respite for individuals experiencing homelessness in Whatcom County.
- Quest Diagnostics Lab In-house laboratory testing services located at 220 Unity Street in Bellingham, providing diagnostic testing for patients.
- Immunizations / Vaccines Vaccination services including COVID-19, flu, and routine childhood and adult immunizations.
- Extend-A-Hand Program Pharmacy assistance program helping patients who cannot afford prescriptions by working through every available assistance option and covering medication costs when other options are exhausted.
- Veggie Rx Program Produce voucher program in partnership with Washington State Department of Health, offering fresh food vouchers to eligible patients with chronic conditions to address food insecurity.
- Sliding Fee Discount Program Financial assistance program that lowers the cost of care based on household size and income, ensuring affordable access for uninsured and underinsured patients.
- Insurance Enrollment Assistance Free, unbiased health insurance enrollment assistance through certified specialists for Apple Health (Medicaid), Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, Qualified Health Plans, and Sliding Fee applications.
- Children's Play and Art Therapy Program Therapeutic program using art, play, and sand tray therapy to help children express emotions, improve self-esteem, and develop coping skills, delivered at selected local schools.
- Communicable Disease Program Program addressing communicable diseases including testing, treatment, and prevention services for conditions such as HIV.
Quantifiable outcome
- 54% increase in patient volume since 2014
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Unity Care NW
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Unity Care NW technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Feature1 record
Unity Care NW partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- United Way of Whatcom CountycoreThe Way Station was selected to receive support from United Way of Whatcom County as a Partner Agency. United Way engages volunteers to ensure community-driven funding selection, supporting organizations that remove barriers for neighbors experiencing financial hardship.
- Opportunity CouncilcorePartnership for The Way Station - Opportunity Council oversees the medical respite program and provides housing case management. Partnership formed in 2018 with years of collaborative planning.
- PeaceHealthcorePartnership for The Way Station - PeaceHealth supplies meals and coordinates medical respite referrals. Also partnered on advocacy for community health center funding.
- Whatcom County Health and Community ServicescorePartnership for The Way Station - supports complementary programs on-site including GRACE, LEAD, and EMS coordination. County-owned building at 1500 N State Street.
- Whatcom Community FoundationcoreLong-time partner and Health Care Champion Sponsor supporting Unity Care NW's mission. Provides funding through Resilience Fund and various grant programs. Also supports Extend-A-Hand pharmacy assistance program and Youth Philanthropy Program.
- Chuckanut Health FoundationcoreSupporter of Unity Care NW's Extend-A-Hand program which helps patients afford medications. Committed to local healthcare organizations and the people they serve.
- North Sound ACHminorProvided funding boost to Extend-A-Hand pharmacy assistance program when funds became scarce.
- Women Sharing HopecoreAll-volunteer local nonprofit that funded a full year's worth of supplies and resources for the Children's Play and Art Therapy program, making it possible to bring healing through art and play to Whatcom County children.
- Samson RopeminorHealth Care Champion Sponsor and local company headquartered in Whatcom County. Supports Unity Care NW's mission to provide healthcare for individuals and families who would not otherwise be able to afford it.
- Puget Sound Energy (PSE)minorHealth Care Champion Sponsor supporting Unity Care NW's work to ensure everyone has access to high-quality care. Also working on community wildfire prevention and resilience programs.
- Urban Rest Stop (Seattle)minorThe Way Station partners visited Urban Rest Stop in Seattle to research successful hygiene center models and trauma-informed approaches for serving people experiencing homelessness.
- Washington Association of Community HealthcoreState association that Unity Care NW works with to advocate for community health center funding and patient access. Dr. Lisa Nelson traveled to Olympia alongside this association to meet with lawmakers.
- Bellingham HeraldminorPartners with Unity Care NW and Opportunity Council annually to raise funds and awareness for the Extend-A-Hand program, inviting broader community to support medication access.
Scale indicators20 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Unity Care NW competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- PeaceHealth: Large regional health system that is also a strategic partner for The Way Station. Overlaps with Unity Care NW in primary care delivery and serves Whatcom County but operates hospital-based care at much broader scale.
Direct peers
- Neighborcare Health: Seattle-based FQHC providing medical, dental, and behavioral health services to low-income and uninsured patients. Comparable as a Pacific Northwest FQHC with similar patient demographics and integrated care model.
- Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic: Pacific Northwest FQHC serving agricultural workers and low-income populations across Washington and Oregon with medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services. Comparable scope and FQHC business model.
- Sea Mar Community Health Centers: Largest FQHC in Washington State, operating medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services across Western Washington. Directly comparable as a Washington-based FQHC serving similar low-income and Medicaid populations with integrated care.
- Open Door Community Health Centers: FQHC serving Humboldt and Del Norte counties in Northern California with comprehensive primary care, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy. Comparable as a regional FQHC serving rural and underserved populations.
- Mountain Family Health Centers: FQHC serving rural Colorado communities with integrated medical, dental, and behavioral health services. Comparable as a community-based FQHC serving low-income populations with a sliding-fee program.
- Piedmont Health Services: North Carolina FQHC operating multiple community health centers with medical, dental, and behavioral health services. Comparable FQHC structure, sliding-fee program, and integrated care delivery.
- HealthPoint: Washington State FQHC operating across King and Pierce counties with medical, dental, pharmacy, and behavioral health. Directly comparable in scope of services, FQHC status, and patient mix.
- Community Health Center of Snohomish County: FQHC in Snohomish County, Washington providing primary medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services. Comparable geographic, demographic, and service-line profile to Unity Care NW.
- Family Health Centers of San Diego: Large FQHC providing comprehensive medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services across San Diego County. Comparable integrated care model serving low-income and homeless populations.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Unity Care NW social profiles
Digital presenceUnity Care NW compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
Unity Care NW financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Unity Care NW leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Unity Care NW subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Unity Care NW funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Unity Care NW 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 Unity Care NW
What does Unity Care NW do?
Unity Care NW is a nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) providing integrated primary medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services to patients of all ages across multiple locations in Whatcom County, Washington. Services are delivered regardless of patients' ability to pay through a Sliding Fee Discount Program, with insurance accepted from Medicaid (Apple Health), Medicare, and private carriers. The organization also operates specialized programs including The Way Station hygiene center for individuals experiencing homelessness, Extend-A-Hand pharmacy assistance, and Veggie Rx produce vouchers.
Is Unity Care NW a public or private company?
Unity Care NW is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Unity Care NW founded?
Unity Care NW was founded in 1984. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Unity Care NW based?
Unity Care NW is headquartered in Bellingham, United States, in the North America region.
How does Unity Care NW make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Patient Services Revenue is the primary driver. The others are 340B Drug Pricing Program, federal Health Center Funding and donations and Foundation Support.
Who are Unity Care NW's main competitors?
PeaceHealth is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are Neighborcare Health, Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic, Sea Mar Community Health Centers, Open Door Community Health Centers, Mountain Family Health Centers, Piedmont Health Services, HealthPoint, Community Health Center of Snohomish County and Family Health Centers of San Diego.
Does Unity Care NW have an API?
No public API is recorded for Unity Care NW.
What industry is Unity Care NW in?
Unity Care NW's product category is Community Health Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAFAGAB, Community Health Centers (FQHCs & Look-Alikes), with a secondary code of HLAFACAA, Outpatient Mental Health Clinics & Counseling Centers. Its NAICS code is 621 and its SIC code is 8011.