About Us
We are Central Health, Travis County’s taxpayer-funded hospital district, and we are closing gaps in healthcare by offering more care to more people in more places.
In 2023, the Central Health system – Central Health, CommUnityCare Health Centers, and Sendero Health Plans – served more than 150,000 people with low income in and around Austin. That’s one in nine Travis County residents.
To reach more people, we work closely with a wide range of partners – from Integral Care to the Dell Medical School at UT–Austin to the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM). Collectively, we’re fostering a culture of compassion, dignity, and honesty that sustains our efforts to bridge healthcare gaps in Central Texas.
Central Health is Rising to the Moment
Imagine a healthcare system where everyone, regardless of income or background, feels valued, supported, and cared for. Unfortunately, the current American healthcare model falls short. Patients are reduced to checklists, and profits often take precedence over their well-being. Navigating this system is daunting, especially for those with limited resources.
But in Travis County, we have hope. Because of the commitment made by Travis County taxpayers over the past two decades, Central Health is uniquely positioned to heal and repair what’s broken and build a system that treats every individual with dignity and respect.
Our Name and Logo
- The “C” stands for “central” and “community”
- The “H” stands for “health”
- The internationally recognized healthcare cross symbolizes unity, compassion, and care.
- The name “Central Health” reflects our commitment to Central Texas and signifies our pivotal role in planning, paying for, and providing healthcare for Travis County residents with low income. Like a bustling hub, we pool resources and coordinate efforts to advance health equity. We’re not just a healthcare provider; we’re a dynamic force fostering connectivity and inclusivity for a healthier future.
Our mission:
By caring for those who need it most, Central Health improves the health of our entire community.
Our vision:
Central Texas healthcare is getting better every day for everyone, making Travis County a model healthy community.
About the Central Health System
Central Health provides health and wellness services that make healthcare better for all of Travis County, including direct medical care in various specialties and lines of service that bridge the deepest gaps in Travis County’s safety-net system – from podiatry to pulmonology to palliative care. Central Health also administers the Medical Access Program (MAP), which covers healthcare costs for county residents with low income.
CommUnityCare Health Centers is the federally qualified health center (FQHC) network formed in 2009 to own and operate primary care clinics previously run by the city of Austin and Travis County. The network now has two dozen locations, making it the second largest such system in Texas. CommUnityCare is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit; like other FQHCs, the majority of its board members are patients of the health center. CommUnityCare partners with Central Health to apply for and receive federal financial support and benefits and shares essential organizational functions, including human resources and technology, with the rest of the Central Health system.
Sendero Health Plans, created by Central Health in 2011, markets insurance plans through the Health Insurance Marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act and provides comprehensive coverage for medically complex cases among people with low income through its Premium Assistance Program (CHAP). Central Health and Sendero also provide health coverage to Austin performers through the system’s partnerships with the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM) and the SIMS Foundation.
Our story: Two Decades of Transforming Travis County Healthcare
Ever since it was created by voters in 2004, Central Health has innovated and transformed how people who need and deserve quality healthcare can be made whole and well. That transformation continues today as we ensure that healthcare is getting better:
- Better for the 150,000+ Central Texans we serve every year with high-quality, compassionate medical care in their own communities.
- Better for Travis County communities that need better healthcare, who always have a seat at the table as we connect and learn together what works best for them.
- Better for Travis County taxpayers, whose generous investment in Central Health allows us to stand up the services people need now and bridge the gaps that have divided Central Texas for generations – making our entire community healthier.
- Better for our employees, providers, and partners who collaborate every day to build a healthcare ecosystem that is empathetic and effective while acknowledging and respecting each other’s unique contributions and immeasurable talents.
Central Health at a Glance
Our Patients
152,453 people served in FY2022 – a 4% year-over-year increase.
Our Care
532,644 primary care visits were provided through Central Health’s broad network of health care partners.
Our Network
228 provider locations, including community health centers, hospitals, specialists, dentists, and urgent care locations.
Our Growth
In 2022 Central Health’s provider network increased by 12%. Twenty-four new providers were added to the network including opioid treatment, primary care, and specialty providers.