Staff Reductions at Community Health Centers: A Call to Protect Every Dollar

Community Health Centers (CHCs) have long been pillars of equitable healthcare—offering essential services to underserved communities with limited resources. However, a troubling trend is emerging: CHCs across the country are being forced to make difficult decisions in the face of economic uncertainty, including painful staff reductions.

Recently, Providence Community Health Centers announced the elimination of more than 70 positions due to a combination of lower Medicaid reimbursement rates and the looming expiration of federal funding. These cuts, which affect both administrative and clinical staff, reflect broader pressures many CHCs are facing nationwide.

At PMG Credentialing, we work closely with FQHCs and CHCs across the country, and we see firsthand how committed these organizations are to serving their patients—even when resources are stretched thin. We also recognize that layoffs are not the result of mismanagement but of a complex, often unpredictable funding landscape.

Still, we believe now is the time to emphasize something critical: ensuring your health center is reimbursed for every service it provides is more important than ever. While many factors contributing to these financial shortfalls are out of a center’s control, one area that can be optimized is provider credentialing.

The Link Between Credentialing and Reimbursement

Credentialing isn’t just a regulatory necessity—it’s the gateway to getting paid. If a provider isn’t properly credentialed with payers, their services may go unreimbursed. And in an environment where every dollar counts, that lost revenue can be the difference between maintaining staff and cutting vital programs.

Unfortunately, credentialing is an intricate and time-consuming process. Requirements vary across payers, and changes in provider rosters—such as new hires, terminations, or role changes—must be updated quickly and accurately. Even minor delays or errors can result in significant reimbursement delays or denials.

How PMG Credentialing Can Help

• NCQA-Accredited credentialing services that meet the highest quality standards.
• Deep experience with HRSA OSVs and documentation best practices.
• Real-time access and transparency via our platform, so your team always knows where things stand.
• The ability to share documentation directly with surveyors, saving time and stress during audits.
• A proven 100% pass rate with accreditation and credentialing file audits.
• Bundled pricing options for credentialing, enrollment, and privileging to help budget-strapped CHCs get more value.

It’s Not Just About Credentialing—It’s About Support

Let’s be clear: credentialing isn’t a silver bullet. The challenges CHCs face are systemic, and they require comprehensive solutions—from policy changes to increased funding. But as long as revenue is tied to reimbursement, credentialing must be part of the conversation.

At PMG, our mission is to support the people who support communities. We’re here to take one burden off your shoulders, so your teams can focus on what matters most—providing care.

If you’re concerned about missed reimbursements or credentialing bottlenecks, let’s talk. We’re ready to help however we can.