About Us
At Central Health, we’re all about making a difference in the lives of Travis County residents, especially those with low incomes. As the county’s taxpayer-funded hospital district, we are dedicated to improving health outcomes for everyone in the Austin area who needs it most.
Thanks to the community’s generous support, we not only meet the county’s obligation to fund safety-net health care, but we’re building something bigger. We’re creating a comprehensive, high-quality health care system that opens doors to better care and coverage, all while tackling health disparities head-on across Central Texas.
In 2023, the Central Health system – which includes CommUnityCare Health Centers, and Sendero Health Plans – served more than 150,000 people. That’s about one in nine Travis County residents. Our impact extends beyond providing direct care and coverage. We collaborate with a diverse network of partners, like Integral Care, the Dell Medical School at UT–Austin, and the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM) to ensure our community is healthier, stronger, and more connected.
Together, we’re building a health care ecosystem sustained by compassion, dignity, and transparency.
Here’s how your tax dollars are making a difference:
- Expanding access to care
- Improving health outcomes
- Serving more people in more places
Our Mission
By caring for those who need us most, Central Health improves the health of our community.
Our vision:
Health care in Central Texas is getting better every day for everyone, making Travis County a model healthy community.
Learn more about Central Health’s history, our accomplishments, and our commitment to the residents of Travis County.
Central Health is rising to the moment
Imagine a health care system where everyone, regardless of income or background, feels valued, supported, and cared for. Unfortunately, the current American health care 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.
About the Central Health system
Central Health provides health and wellness services that make health care 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 health care costs for county residents with low income.
CommUnityCare Health Centers is Central Health’s network of primary care clinics for Travis County residents with low income. Central Health and CommUnityCare together administer a Health Resources and Services Administration-supported (HRSA) public health center.
In 2008, Central Health created CommUnityCare to operate its Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) primary clinics, previously run by the City of Austin and Travis County. FQHCs provide primary and preventative care to people regardless of their ability to pay.
Now with more than two dozen clinic locations, Central Health’s CommUnityCare is the second largest such system in Texas and, like other FQHCs, the majority of its board members are patients of the health center.
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 health care
Ever since it was created by voters in 2004, Central Health has innovated and transformed how people who need and deserve quality health care can be made whole and well. That transformation continues today as we ensure that health care 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 health care, 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 health care ecosystem that is empathetic and effective while acknowledging and respecting each other’s unique contributions and immeasurable talents.
Our name and logo
The name “Central Health” reflects our commitment to Central Texas and signifies our pivotal role in planning, paying for, and providing health care 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 health care provider; we’re a dynamic force fostering connectivity and inclusivity for a healthier future.
C – The “C” stands for “central” and “community”
H – The “H” stands for “health”
+ – The internationally recognized health care cross symbolizes unity, compassion, and care.
Our Impact
Our patients
155,685 people served in FY2023 – a 2% year-over-year increase.
Our care
612,964 primary care visits were provided through Central Health’s broad network of health care partners.
Our network
247 provider locations, including community health centers, hospitals, specialists, dentists, and urgent care locations.
Our growth
In 2023 Central Health’s provider network increased by 12%. Nineteen new providers were added to the network including opioid treatment, primary care, and specialty providers.