Frequently Asked Questions

The Primary Health Network, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), provides quality primary care services and access to specialty care commensurate with the needs of the people in the communities we serve. Services are offered regardless of age, race, creed, sex, national origin or ability to pay. PHN was founded in 1984 with one small primary care site, and has since grown to become the largest FQHC in Pennsylvania, serving over 100,000 patients annually.

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) include all organizations receiving grant funding under Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act. FQHCs qualify for enhanced reimbursement from Medicare and Medicaid, as well as other benefits. FQHCs must serve underserved areas or populations, offer a Sliding Fee Discount, provide comprehensive services, have an ongoing quality assurance program, and have a governing Board of Directors.

All of PHN’s current medical services are listed on our Services page. PHN strives to benefit the communities we serve in as many ways as possible, so our services are always expanding.

At PHN, your care management is based around making the patient the most important element of healthcare. PHN has been awarded Primary Care Medical Home (PCMH) accreditation, meaning we offer patient-centered care that emphasizes a team-based approach. We strive to make sure you completely understand and are engaged in all aspects of your healthcare.

Each of PHN’s sites is accepting new patients. However, the time before the next available appointment will differ, depending on the site and provider chosen. Call your local PHN office to get started!

Each of PHN’s providers and sites may differ in the insurances accepted, due to location and medical specialties offered. For specific information, call the location you’d like to schedule an appointment with, and our office staff will be happy to assist you. Your insurance carrier can also offer additional information.

It’s important to be prepared before your visit. This allows you to get the most out of your time with your doctor. It will also help reduce anxiety about the visit. You can visit our prepare for your appointment page for additional assistance.

First, don’t worry! At PHN, we understand that life happens, and sometimes, it’s unavoidable to have to cancel appointments. If you are unable to keep a scheduled appointment, please try to call your physician’s office at least 24 hours in advance. Office staff will cancel the appointment and can assist you in rescheduling for another date.

It is very important to try to keep all scheduled appointments. When you schedule an appointment, the office staff reserves time for you to be seen by a doctor and prepares your health records for the visit. We ask that you call your doctor’s office as soon as you know you are unable to attend your appointment. Not only will this let us reschedule your appointment for another time, but it also frees up time for another patient to be seen.

Please call your doctor’s office to let them know you will be late to an appointment. Because many patients are scheduled each day, office staff can only wait so long before seeing the next scheduled patient. If you are more than 10 minutes late, the office may need to reschedule your appointment.

If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911 right away. Do not call your doctor first. Make a follow-up call with your doctor either within 24 hours, or when your health allows. For non-life-threatening urgent medical care after hours or on weekends, patients of PHN should call their doctor’s office and explain their needs. They will receive a call back from the staff with instructions as soon as possible.

If your insurance carrier sends a denial that states “not a covered service,” there are many things to consider. Some insurance plans do not pay for certain procedures, such as consultations. PHN’s office staff will assist you as best they can, but your insurance carrier may need to be contacted for further information.

Yes, PHN does offer structured payment plans for all services. You can contact our Billing Department at (888) 274-2043 and a Primary Health Network representative will help you create a payment schedule that will be monitored. We also accept Visa and MasterCard, and all services are offered on a Sliding Fee Discount for eligible patients.

As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), we offer a discount for most of PHN’s services for eligible patients. To see if you are eligible and/or what your discount will be, please visit our Sliding Fee Discount page for additional information regarding eligibility and registration.