Safety Net Providers

What is the Safety Net?

A network of providers offering medical, dental and mental health care to low-income, uninsured and underinsured individuals and people enrolled in publicly funded health insurance programs, regardless of their ability to pay. Some communities may have a number of providers, while others may have none. The health care safety net serves as the default source of care for Colorado’s most vulnerable residents. With nearly 800,000 uninsured Coloradans, historically high public health insurance caseloads and escalating health costs, the safety net plays a crucial role in the state’s health care system.

Source: The Colorado Health Institute

The full implementation of the Affordable Care Act in 2014 will provide significantly greater numbers of Colorado citizens with access to Medicaid.  Even though many adults will become Medicaid eligible, the Affordable Care Act does not mandate an adult dental benefit, and therefore most low-income adults in Colorado will continue to lack affordable access to oral health care.  The Colorado Health Institute estimates that there are at least 10,000 children (mostly undocumented) without access to Medicaid, but in need of health services, including oral health care.  The safety net dental providers are critical in serving the needs of this growing population.

Safety Net Providers

Community-funded Safety Net Clinics (CSNCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) provide primary health care and chronic care services to low-income, uninsured and underinsured Coloradans. Many of these clinics have incorporated oral health as a part of their complete health care package, and offer care on a sliding scale.  ClinicNET is committed to enhancing the capacity of these clinics to serve medically vulnerable Coloradans and provide a centralized voice for these critical safety net providers.

Colorado Community Health Network (CCHN) represents Colorado’s 15 Federally Qualified Community Health Centers (CHCs) that together form the backbone of the largest primary health care safety net in Colorado.  Many of the Federally Qualified Health Centers offer oral health services on a sliding scale.

Private nonprofit dental clinics exist throughout the state.  Most of the private nonprofits are supported through reduced patient fees, local governments, and foundation support.  Private nonprofits generally are not incorporated into a primary health care setting, but work with primary care providers in their communities to assure that both the oral health and general health needs of low-income residents are met.

Colorado Dental Association (CDA) has a map and list of reduced-fee dental care resources in Colorado. Most offer dental care on a sliding fee scale based on financial situation.