What is a Community Health Center?



From the most remote areas in the state to the growing cities, Idaho’s community health centers offer medical, dental, pharmacy, and behavioral health services to make sure no person’s health issue goes unnoticed.  No one is turned away because of lack of insurance or inability to pay. It doesn’t matter if you have an insurance card or not. You can have the peace of mind knowing that affordable and accessible care is available to you, your family, and your community.

Idaho has 15 community health centers throughout 67 communities in Idaho. As a united network they serve just over 230,000 patients. Each organization collaborates closely with one another to drive down patient costs and deliver better health outcomes for all Idahoans.

Key characteristics of community health centers

  • Nonprofits
  • Provide comprehensive primary, behavioral health, and dental care
  • Serve a high need community
  • Patient-majority boards
  • Sliding fee scales to provide affordability
  • Treat all patients regardless of ability to pay

Mission of community health centers

  • Provide affordable access to high-quality care
  • Eliminate barriers based on income, socioeconomic status, race, language, transportation, coverage status, etc.
  • Address the root issues of health problems by focusing on whole person health
  • Create jobs and economic growth in underserved communities


For over 50 years, Idaho’s community health centers have been practicing a different way of delivering health care, one where patients spend less money and achieve better health. Community health centers aim to treat the entire person, this includes the health conditions in which people live, work, and play. Keeping communities and patients healthy is their number one priority, this saves money for our patients and communities.

Community health centers are available for all Idahoans, from small business owners with high-deductible plans, mothers working two jobs, a family with a brand-new child, college students, those who have recently become unemployed, or anyone looking to cut the cost of health care in their budget, all Idahoans are welcome at community health centers.