- local high quality, comprehensive healthcare services
- services for all people, regardless of ability to pay
- healthcare services with doctors that live in the community
- advocacy for our patients and residents with insurance companies, Medicare and Medicaid
- knowledge-based, personal connections to the best specialized resources available in other locations - should referrals be necessary
The (SMC) is a federally qualified health center receiving grants under section 330 of the Public Health Service Act as a not-for-profit organization. Federally qualified health centers qualify for enhanced reimbursement from Medicare and Medicaid, as well as other benefits. FQHCs serve an underserved area or population, offer a sliding fee scale, provide comprehensive services, have an ongoing quality assurance program, and have a governing board of directors.
SMC is a community of providers (doctors, nurses, technical support, administrative support) dedicated to helping people understand and live with their abilities and their disabilities by providing information, medical services and referrals to other medical specialists, financial assistance organizations, non-medical specialists and support groups.
SMC is committed to supporting the local healthcare community in a manner that assures the survival of essential services, maximizes common resources and minimizes costs to the community.
CLINIC PRACTICES
- No one who needs medical care is turned away from our doors
- SMC strives to provide "continuity of care" for our patients, assuring consistency in providers over time and throughout the healthcare system
- SMC strives to create a team of providers who know and trust one another and to schedule their services in a manner that maintains their good clinical decision-making and retains their professional competencies
- SMC strives to harmonize healthcare services with other community providers when possible, not competing with them in order to assure a strong and vibrant healthcare community in Cook County