Family Health Care of Northwest Ohio, Inc. is a Federal Qualified Health Center (FQHC) with "look-alike status" serving Van Wert, Mercer and Paulding counties. The clinic operates with support from Van Wert County Hospital, Van Wert County Foundation, Community Health Professionals, United Way of Van Wert County and area businesses.

More than 3,400 individuals in Van Wert County receive assistance from Medicaid - including 1,517 adults and 1,914 children. Often individuals who are without a primary care provider use the emergency room for their basic health care. It is a goal of the Family Caring Clinic to avoid this as much as possible.

Dr. Tom Lautzenheiser serves as the clinic's primary care physician. Mary Coplin, certified nurse practitioner, has been with the clinic since it began providing primary care.

Meeting Your Health Needs

Family Health Care of Northwest Ohio, Inc. provides services including:

  • OBTAIN medical histories and perform physical examinations
  • TREAT stable, chronic diseases and acute illnesses and minor injuries
  • DIAGNOSE and MANAGE chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure
  • ORDER, perform and interpret diagnostic studies such as lab work and x-rays
  • PRESCRIBE medications and treatments
  • PROVIDE health maintenance for adults, including annual physical exams and family planning
  • PROMOTE positive health behaviors and self-care skills through EDUCATION and COUNSELING
  • RECOGNIZE complicated medical conditions that require referral to a doctor or hospital
  • COLLABORATE with physicians and community agencies as needed, increasing access to care and services
Serving the Community

Family Caring Clinic is not only for the under-insured. Patients of all ages and economic conditions are accepted including those with:
  • Medicare
  • Medicaid
  • Health Insurance
  • Self-Pay: on a sliding scale depending on financial situation (documentation required)
Fees for services to the under-insured are based on federal poverty guidelines with a $20 minimum payment required prior to treatment.

FQHC Look-Alike

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) are community-based organizations that provide comprehensive primary care and preventive care to persons of all ages, regardless of their ability to pay.

FQHCs were originally meant to provide comprehensive health services to the medically under-served to reduce the patient load on hospital emergency rooms.

Between 2001 and 2006, the number of patients treated at health centers has increased by over 4.7 million, representing a nearly 50 percent increase in just five years. In 2006 the number of patients served topped the 15 million mark for the first time.