North Star Health

What North Star Health does

North Star Health is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) operating 14 health center locations across southern Vermont and southwestern New Hampshire, founded in 1974 as Springfield Medical Care Systems and rebranded in May 2022 following its 2021 separation from Springfield Hospital. The organization provides integrated medical, behavioral health, dental, and vision care to over 26,000 patients annually regardless of insurance status or ability to pay; 80% of patients earn at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, 38% are uninsured or on Medicaid, and 19% are children under 18. Approximately 1,000 veterans are served each year.

Care is delivered through a multi-modal network that includes four health center locations (Springfield flagship, Charlestown, Ludlow, Mountain Valley/Londonderry), Chester Dental Center, North Star Vision, four school-based health centers, walk-in care, telehealth, and the Dr. Delores Barbeau Mobile Health Unit. Core clinical services encompass primary care, pediatrics, behavioral health, dental, vision, nutrition counseling, diabetes management, and substance use treatment, supported by a community health team addressing social determinants such as food insecurity, transportation, and financial assistance. An Athenahealth-powered patient portal enables online scheduling, secure messaging, and health record access. The technology stack is a conventional EHR/PM deployment with no documented proprietary AI/ML components. Three integrated community pharmacies (Londonderry, Springfield, Charlestown) are under construction and expected to open in 2026.

Revenue is generated through patient service billing (approximately one-third from Medicare/Medicaid, balance from commercial and private payers), HRSA Section 330 federal grants, the 340B drug pricing program, Medicare ACO shared savings via the Lore Health partnership, governmental and foundation grants, and individual donations. The organization operates on a budget under $30 million, reported an average $27 loss per patient visit in 2023, and maintains a 13% no-show rate. Recent strategic activity includes the consolidation of Rockingham Health Center (January 2025), expansion into community pharmacies (2026), rebrand to North Star Health (May 2022), and leadership transitions in the CMO and clinical director roles during 2025-2026.

Name

North Star Health

Legal name

Springfield Medical Care Systems dba North Star Health

Website

https://northstarfqhc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

North Star Health is a 501(c)(3) Federally Qualified Health Center operating 14 health center locations across southern Vermont and southwestern New Hampshire, providing integrated medical, behavioral health, dental, and vision care to over 26,000 patients annually regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Health Center Services

NAICS

Ambulatory Health Care Services (621), Offices of Physicians (62111), Other Outpatient Care Centers (62149), Health Care and Social Assistance (62)

SIC

Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Health Centers (FQHCs & Look-Alikes) (HLAFAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

School-Based Health Centers (HLAFAGAG), Public/County Primary Care Clinics (HLAFAGAI), Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) (HLAFAGAL)

Keywords

• Community health services
• Federally qualified health center
• Primary medical care
• Behavioral health services
• Rural healthcare delivery

Headquarters

HQ city

Springfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Patient Service Revenue: Revenue from patient services billed to Medicare, Medicaid, commercial insurance, and private payers. Approximately 1/3 of payments come from Medicare/Medicaid and the rest from Commercial or Private Payers.
2. HRSA Federal Grants (Section 330): Federal funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through HRSA for being an FQHC.
3. 340B Drug Program: Federal program allowing FQHCs to purchase drugs at reduced prices and generate revenue from the spread.
4. Accountable Care Organization (ACO) Shared Savings: Revenue from participating with Lore Health Medicare ACO and other ACO programs through shared savings arrangements when healthcare costs are reduced without compromising quality.
5. Governmental and Foundation Grants: Revenue from governmental grants and foundation grants supporting specific programs and initiatives.
6. Individual Donors: Unrestricted funds from donors help the organization remain sustainable when federal funding is uncertain.
7. Sliding Fee Scale and Financial Assistance: Provides free care to patients who qualify based on income, with revenue loss partially offset through patient fees and grants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

North Star Health is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that provides integrated medical, behavioral health, dental, and vision care to over 26,000 patients annually across 14 health center locations in southern Vermont and southwestern New Hampshire. Services are delivered regardless of insurance status or ability to pay, supported by a sliding fee scale, federal HRSA funding, and the 340B drug program. The organization also operates school-based health centers, a mobile health unit, telehealth, and is opening three community pharmacies in 2026.

Product overview

North Star Health is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) operating a multi-site healthcare delivery system across southern Vermont and southwestern New Hampshire. The organization offers integrated, patient-centered medical, behavioral health, dental, and vision care through 14 health center locations and 4 school-based health centers. Core services include Primary Care, Walk-In Care, Pediatrics, Behavioral Health, Dental Care, Vision Care (North Star Vision), and Pharmacy (opening 2026). Support services include Community Health Team, Care Coordination, Nutrition Counseling, Diabetes Management, and a Mobile Health Unit. Digital services include an Athenahealth-powered Patient Portal for online scheduling and health record access. The organization participates in the Lore Health Medicare ACO program. All services are available regardless of insurance status or ability to pay, with financial assistance and sliding fee scales available.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• North Star Vision: Vision care services, formerly known as Lane Eye Associates, relocated to Springfield Health Center in October 2023.

Products and services

• Primary Care Comprehensive primary care services including family medicine, internal medicine, and preventive health visits delivered at multiple health center locations for patients of all ages regardless of insurance status.
• Behavioral Health
• Dental Care General and preventive dental services offered at Chester Dental Center, serving patients of all ages regardless of insurance status.
• Vision Care (North Star Vision) Comprehensive eye care services including eye exams, vision correction, and ocular health assessment, located within Springfield Health Center.
• Pediatrics
• Walk-In Care
• Community Pharmacies (Londonderry, Springfield, Charlestown) Three community pharmacies under construction at Londonderry, Springfield, and Charlestown locations, expected to open in 2026 with integrated pharmacy care, discount prescriptions, and home delivery.
• School-Based Services Health services delivered directly in schools, with four school-based health centers in Springfield, VT providing primary care and behavioral health to students during school hours.
• Mobile Health Unit (Dr. Delores Barbeau Mobile Health Unit) Mobile health unit bringing vaccinations, screenings, and primary care to underserved communities and areas where travel to clinics is a barrier.
• Nutrition Counseling Registered dietitians provide personalized nutrition education and counseling for chronic disease management, weight management, and healthy eating.
• Diabetes Management and Education Comprehensive diabetes care including education, monitoring, and management support for patients with diabetes.
• Substance Use Treatment Medication-assisted treatment and counseling for opioid use disorder and other substance use conditions.
• Lifestyle Medicine Lifestyle medicine services supporting patient health through behavior and lifestyle change as part of integrated primary care.
• Patient Portal (Athenahealth-powered) Online patient portal (powered by Athenahealth) enabling appointment scheduling, secure messaging with providers, billing access, and health record viewing.
• Lore Health Medicare ACO Program Accountable Care Organization participation for Traditional Medicare beneficiaries offering access to Lore's online wellness platform with incentives for health improvements.
• Infant and Young Child Symptom Checker Downloadable PDF tool designed to help parents assess common pediatric symptoms, including after-hours helpline access.

Quantifiable outcome

• 26,000+ patients served annually across 14 health center locations
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Lore HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023North Star Health participates with Lore Health Medicare Accountable Care Organization (ACO) as of January 2023. Lore provides an online platform helping Medicare patients with lifestyle changes through chatbot, community connection, and rewards program. Original Medicare beneficiaries are automatically enrolled and can earn up to $600 annually in grocery gift cards for participating in health reflections.
• Valley Health ConnectionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to help guide patients through the process of applying for financial assistance and accessing medical care and medications. Valley Health Connections serves as a trusted partner connecting patients with resources.
• Neighborhood ConnectionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity-based health and human services nonprofit founded by Dr. Delores Barbeau and Gloria Dawson in 2009. The Dr. Delores Barbeau Mobile Health Unit is stationed at Neighborhood Connections locations for services. Hosted mobile unit dedication and ribbon-cutting event.
• Bi-State Primary Care AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe CEOs of the region's Federally Qualified Health Centers meet weekly through a consortium facilitated by Bi-State Primary Care Association. This group provides collaboration, shared strategy, and advocacy on issues impacting community health centers across Vermont and New Hampshire.
• Ardmore Institute of HealthminorOthersProvided grant support for the Food as Medicine cooking demonstration program and events. Ardmore Institute of Health supports health improvement initiatives.
• Springfield Family CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration in organizing and promoting the Food as Medicine cooking demonstration event. Springfield Family Center has a small on-site food pantry at Springfield Health Center to provide immediate assistance to patients facing food insecurity.
• Vermont AcademyminorOthersGraciously provided food and supplies for the Food as Medicine cooking demonstration event.
• CaptureRxminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of National Health Center Week 2024 celebrations.
• Claremont Savings BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of National Health Center Week 2024 celebrations.
• Exact SciencesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of National Health Center Week 2024 celebrations.
• UnitedHealth GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of National Health Center Week 2024 celebrations.
• Mountain Valley Health CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity advisory council supporting Mountain Valley Health Center. Co-sponsored the 50th Birthday Bash anniversary celebration in 2026.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Concord Hospital Health System: New Hampshire-based regional health system operating primary care, specialty, and hospital services across central NH. Comparable as a broader incumbent in North Star Health's NH service geography with overlapping primary care offerings, though at larger scale and broader portfolio.
• Dartmouth Health: Major New Hampshire-based academic health system with extensive regional footprint. Comparable as a regional referral and collaboration partner (Dartmouth Health has served as a psychiatric practice management background for North Star Health leadership) and as the broader incumbent against which North Star Health positions its community-rooted FQHC model.

Direct peers

• Northern Counties Health Care: Vermont-based FQHC operating multiple health center locations across the Northeast Kingdom region. Directly comparable as a VT FQHC serving rural communities with sliding-fee-scale primary care, dental, and behavioral health under the same regulatory and funding model.
• Indian Stream Health Center: Federally Qualified Health Center serving New Hampshire's North Country with primary care, behavioral health, and dental services. Directly comparable as an NH FQHC operating in a rural service area adjacent to North Star Health's NH footprint under the same federal funding model.
• Coos County Family Health Services: Federally Qualified Health Center serving Coos County, New Hampshire with primary care, behavioral health, dental, and pharmacy services. Directly comparable as an NH-based FQHC serving rural, low-income populations under the same HRSA framework.
• Mid-State Health Center: New Hampshire FQHC serving Plymouth and surrounding communities with primary care, behavioral health, and dental. Directly comparable as an NH rural FQHC peer with a similar patient demographic mix and service line scope.
• Ammonoosuc Community Health Services: New Hampshire-based FQHC serving the Ammonoosuc region with primary care, behavioral health, and dental services across multiple locations. Directly comparable as a rural NH FQHC peer in North Star Health's adjacent service geography.
• Little Rivers Health Care: Federally Qualified Health Center serving Vermont's Orange and Caledonia counties with primary care, behavioral health, and dental services. Directly comparable as a rural VT FQHC of similar scale and patient demographics.
• Community Health Centers of Burlington: Federally Qualified Health Center serving Chittenden County and surrounding Vermont communities with primary care, behavioral health, dental, and pharmacy services. Directly comparable as a VT-based FQHC of similar scale serving rural and underserved populations under the same HRSA Section 330 funding framework.

Regional players

• Gifford Health Care: Vermont-based health system serving central Vermont with primary care, specialty, and hospital services. Comparable as a VT regional provider in overlapping rural communities, though broader scope (includes hospital services) places it outside the strict FQHC peer set.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 North Star Health