Strategy: FQHC Copay Exemption as Competitive Advantage — Patient Acquisition
H.R. 1 allows states to impose $35 Medicaid copays — but FQHCs are statutorily exempt. This is a major competitive advantage. Action items for FQHC leaders: (1) Add 'No Copay' messaging to all patient-facing materials.
(2) Update website and signage. (3) Brief front desk and outreach staff. (4) Target patients currently using hospital EDs or urgent cares that will start charging copays.
(5) Coordinate with managed care plans to redirect members to FQHCs for copay-free visits.
Key takeaways
- H.R. 1 allows states to impose $35 Medicaid copays — but FQHCs are statutorily exempt
- Target patients currently using hospital EDs or urgent cares that will start charging copays
- Add 'No Copay' messaging to all patient-facing materials, website, and signage
- Coordinate with managed care plans to redirect members to FQHCs for copay-free visits
Primary source
KFFFQHC Talent. (2026, February 27). Strategy: FQHC Copay Exemption as Competitive Advantage — Patient Acquisition. Primary source: KFF. Retrieved June 12, 2026, from https://www.fqhctalent.com/intel/strategy-copay-exemption-advantage
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