Health Center Cluster - PROJECT TITLE: Service Area Competition APPLPICANT ORGANIZATION NAME: Medical Resource Center for Randolph County, Inc. dba MERCE Family Healthcare ADDRESS: 1831 N. Fayetteville St. Asheboro, NC 27203-3273 PROJECT DIRECTOR NAME: Teresa Shackleford CONTACT PHONE NUMBERS (VOICE): 336-672-1300 (FAX): 336-672-3044 E-MAIL ADDRESS: Tshackleford@mercemedical.com WEB SITE ADDRESS: www.mercefamilyhealthcare.com TYPES OF SECTION 330 FUNDING REQUESTED: CHC ID NUMBER, CITY, AND STATE OF THE SERVICE AREA: ID # 341; Asheboro, NC TOTAL NUMBER OF UNDUPLICATED PATIENTS PROJECTED TO BE SERVED IN 2023: From 01/01/2023-12/31/2023, MERCE projects serving 5,055 patients. HEALTH CARE NEEDS/BARRIERS TO BE ADDRESSED. Medical Resource Center for Randolph County, Inc. (MERCE) is a federally qualified health center (FQHC) that expands access to comprehensive primary and preventive care for medically underserved residents of Randolph County, North Carolina. MERCE began in the 1980s when a group of private physicians and dentists saw the need for care among the medically indigent in the community. Volunteer practitioners worked two nights weekly to conduct a free clinic in a back room of the local health department. As news of the availability of care traveled, the demand for services increased. In 2007, MERCE became a New Start FQHC delivering comprehensive health services. In 2020, MERCE served 3,220 patients with 5,202 medical and 2,851 dental visits (UDS). Randolph County has a total population of 143,118. Since 2010 the population has remained relatively flat, increasing by 1.0%. Nearly one in four (39.4%), or 55,682, residents are in the MERCE target population: individuals living on incomes below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines (FPG) (Census 2010, Census Bureau, 2011; American Community Survey, Census Bureau, 2015-2019). Randolph County is a designated health professional shortage area (HPSA) for primary, dental, and mental health care. The Randolph Service Area (census tract 307) is a designated medically underserved area (MUA) (Find Shortage Areas, HRSA, 2021). PROPOSED PROJECT AND SERVICES. MERCE operates three facilities in Asheboro, NC. Directly provided services include general primary medical care, diagnostic lab, screenings, emergency coverage, immunizations, family planning, well child services, gynecological care, prenatal and postpartum care, preventive dental, pharmaceutical services, case management, eligibility assistance, health education, outreach, translation, additional dental services, and mental health and substance abuse services. Referral relationships expand access to services such as radiology, intrapartum care, and transportation, among others. In 2020, MERCE served 3,220 patients with 5,616 (including 1,404 virtual) medical, 1,848 dental, and 213 (including 52 virtual) mental health visits (UDS). In Year 1, staff will include 0.65 FTE physicians (includes 0.25 FTE emergency medicine), 3.9 FTE nurse practitioners, 0.45 FTE nurses, 7.7 FTE other medical staff, 2.0 FTE dentists, 0.75 FTE dental hygienists, 2.88 FTE dental assistants, 3.1 FTE LCSW, 0.5 FTE substance use disorder providers, 1.0 FTE case managers, 0.96 FTE patient/community education specialist, 3.87 FTE interpretation, 0.96 community health workers, and 1.5 FTE quality improvement staff. From 01/01/2023-12/31/2023, MERCE projects serving 5,055 patients. COMMUNITY/TARGET POPULATION GROUPS TO BE SERVED. MERCE programs and services are targeted to high-need populations including those with low incomes, the uninsured, Medicaid and Medicare enrollees, Health Choice (CHIP) enrollees, the elderly, and children.
