Meet Pardee BlueMD - A Federally Qualified Health Center
UNC Health Pardee is proud to announce a new collaboration with Blue Ridge Health (BRH) to create better opportunities for health and wellness in our region. Pardee has partnered with BRH to become a subrecipient of their Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). This status will allow both Pardee and BRH the ability to more ardently pursue innovation in reducing gaps in care, creating a more seamless delivery model, and improving patient outcomes. 
As a subrecipient, Pardee will receive a grant under contract with a grantee (BRH) and be expected to meet all of the program requirements. Although the subrecipient model is not commonly used in North Carolina, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) intentionally created this model to foster collaboration among existing health partners–like Pardee and Blue Ridge Health–allowing each to remain their own separate entity.
What Does This Mean for You, Our Patients?
Each Pardee BlueMD practice will provide comprehensive, culturally-competent, quality primary healthcare services to all patients, regardless of ability to pay, particularly the most vulnerable and underserved populations.
Patients of Pardee BlueMD practices throughout Henderson, Buncombe and Transylvania counties will continue to see their providers as they always have, with minimal changes to their overall experience. In addition to a change in signage, patients may also be asked to complete new paperwork and will now have access to a sliding fee scale, in addition to the existing UNC Health Financial Assistance program.
Additionally, some of the services that we look forward to incorporating into our model of care include behavioral health, pharmacy, care management and social workers to assist with transportation and even dental care. As an FQHC subrecipient, Pardee will be able to do even more to support individuals and families in our region.
Will This Designation and Change in Status Impact the Healthcare I Receive?
Not at all. If anything, it will enhance the services we’re able to provide for our patients. You will have an even more comprehensive and holistic approach to health care that encompasses the whole body including medical, emotional, dental and nutrition.
Pardee’s collaboration with Blue Ridge Health will compel us to continue to be the best that we can as individual health organizations while sharing our innovations for even greater benefit for our patients. If you have any questions, we encourage you to speak with your provider.
Sliding Fee Scale
No one will be denied access to services due to inability to pay. There are discounts available based on family size and income. Read more about the Pardee BlueMD Discounted Services Sliding Fee Scale Policy and Sliding Fee Information (Española).
Call After Hours
Llame al fuera de horario
Talk with a nurse after hours by calling the main clinic number.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an FQHC?
An FQHC provides comprehensive primary and preventive care to persons of all ages, regardless of their ability to pay or health insurance status. An FQHC must meet a stringent set of requirements, including providing care on a sliding fee scale based on ability to pay and operating under a governing board that includes patients. FQHCs receive federal grants to offset costs involved in providing healthcare to low-income and uninsured individuals.
Why is Pardee becoming an FQHC?
Simply put, UNC Health Pardee became an FQHC subrecipient of Blue Ridge Health to expand service offerings throughout the communities we serve. We believe that our region needs and can support another viable option for comprehensive, culturally competent, quality primary health care services. Some of these services include mental health, pharmacy, care management and social workers to assist with transportation and even dental care. Becoming an FQHC subrecipient will go a long way in supporting individuals and families in our region who have the least amount of resources, yet who have the greatest need for quality healthcare.
What is a subrecipient?
FQHCs who receive a grant “under contract” with a grantee, such as Blue Ridge Health, and also meet all of the program requirements are known as subrecipients. Although the subrecipient model is not commonly used in North Carolina, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) intentionally created this model to foster collaboration among existing health partners—like Pardee and Blue Ridge Health—while allowing each to remain their own separate entity.
What types of services will be provided?
Pardee BlueMD has 20 clinics that are Section 330 FQHC. These Pardee BlueMD locations throughout Henderson, Buncombe and Transylvania counties provide comprehensive, culturally-competent, quality primary healthcare services to low-income and medically underserved populations. We offer a sliding fee scale to all patients, and income and the number of families in a household determine eligibility for free or low-cost services.
Pardee BlueMD will also participate in the 340B Pharmacy program, allowing us to offer pharmaceutical services within these facilities. The 340B Pharmacy program provides discounts to the hospitals serving vulnerable patients, increasing access to prescription drugs for low-income patients and allowing these hospitals to devote more resources to services and programs that support vulnerable communities.
What forms of payment are accepted?
We will offer a sliding fee scale to all patients, regardless of insurance status. Income and number of family members in the household determine if patients qualify for free or low cost services.
Will I be a patient of Pardee or BRH?
You are a patient of UNC Health Pardee through the relationship with your provider at one of our Pardee BlueMD locations.
Who will I receive my bill from?
Pardee BlueMD will bill patients as we always have. As a member of the UNC Health family, your bill will continue to come from UNC Health.
What noticeable changes will I see in my care?
You will see an enhancement to the services we’re able to provide for our patients. You will experience a comprehensive and holistic approach to healthcare that encompasses the whole body including medical, emotional, dental and nutrition. Pardee’s collaboration with Blue Ridge Health will compel us to continue to be the best that we can as individual health organizations while sharing our innovations for even greater benefit for our patients.
How will I access these “comprehensive” services such as behavioral health, pediatrics and dentistry?
Your Pardee BlueMD provider will make a referral for you based on your unique needs and situation.
