Health Care Switch for Tyler’s Underserved

TYLER — There’s a change in how underserved people in the Tyler area get access to health care services. First, according to KETK, Total Healthcare in Tyler will no longer see patients effective Friday, August 2. According to a sign on the door of the facility, the clinic closed its doors for good at 4:00 p.m. on Friday. Last year, the city suspended funding to the Total Healthcare organization after what the city called a “chronic inability to maintain leadership.” In 2011, the Attorney General’s office filed a lawsuit against Total Healthcare alleging several violations including negligent mismanagement. Total Healthcare had operated as the community’s only Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC).

Meanwhile, though, Tyler Family Circle of Care recently announced its FQHC Status, effective September 1. “The FQHC status will encourage the clinic to expand services to the whole family in conjunction with community support from public government entities and all health care providers. This is a very exciting time for us,” said Mary Elizabeth Jackson, CEO of Tyler Family Circle of Care. “We just celebrated 20 years of services to Smith County, 18 years as a part of Mother Frances Hospital. Now, these expanded clinics are a community asset, and our community board will be reaching out to ensure the services continue and that the same quality of care is being provided.

“It is now really a decision for the whole community to support medical services to those who can least afford them. We are seeing the next generation of patients using our clinics, and the FQHC status will let us serve the whole family. We will continue giving quality care and be proud to be an FQHC clinic.”

FQHC status is a reimbursement designation given to community-based organizations that provide comprehensive primary care and preventive care to medically underserved persons of all ages, regardless of their ability to pay or health insurance status. That care include health, oral, and mental health/substance abuse services; it’s offered in urban and rural communities.

Anyone with questions regarding access to Tyler Family Circle of Care primary care should visit http://www.tylerfcc.org or call 903-593-1892; the number for women’s services is 903-535-9041. Incidentally, Total Care is a home medical equipment company and should not be confused with Total Healthchare. Total Care is not closing.