Lorain County Health & Dentistry

Lorain County Health & Dentistry (LCH&D) is a private, independent, non-profit Community Health Center established in 2002. It holds the designation of a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) "Look Alike" by the Health Resources and Services Administration, signifying its commitment to quality care and serving underserved populations. LCH&D's mission is to provide high-quality primary and preventive healthcare services to all individuals in Lorain County, regardless of their ability to pay. They offer a comprehensive range of services, including primary medical care, Dental Care, integrated behavioral health services, and pharmacy services. The pharmacy, located at their 801 Middle Avenue, Elyria site, is open to all, with free home delivery of prescriptions available. The organization operates multiple convenient locations across Lorain, Elyria, Oberlin, and North Ridgeville, making healthcare accessible to a wider community. They strive to remove barriers to care and are deeply embedded "of" their communities. A key aspect of LCH&D's approach is its commitment to affordability. They offer a Sliding Fee Discount program for qualifying insured, uninsured, and underinsured patients, based on Federal Poverty Guidelines and household income. They also accept Medicaid, Medicare, and most commercial insurance plans. Beyond direct medical and dental services, LCH&D provides additional support such as assistance with Medicaid/Medicare and Marketplace Exchange insurance applications, on-site lab/blood draw services (at no cost for eligible patients), referrals to specialists, translation/interpretation services for non-English speaking and deaf/hearing impaired patients, and transportation support. LCH&D is governed by a stable board of directors, with over 51% of directors being consumers of their services. This ensures that patient needs and community well-being remain central to their operations. In 2023, LCH&D served 18,575 unduplicated patients across 63,22 visits, with a significant majority (92%) having household incomes at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty level, highlighting their impact on vulnerable populations. Their ongoing efforts include developing "Advocates" to promote their work and ensure their continued presence in the community for years to come.