Primary health care, inc

Primary Health Care, Inc. is a nonprofit community health center in Central Iowa that provides medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services. It operates multiple clinics in Des Moines, Ames, Urbandale, and Marshalltown, serving patients from newborns to older adults with a team of 75 licensed clinicians and 367 employees.

The business has been serving Central Iowa since 1981 and operates under a Medical Home model that coordinates care across primary care, pediatrics, maternal health, and supportive services. It accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and most private insurance, with a sliding fee scale available for those who qualify.

Patients can schedule appointments by calling the specific clinic number listed for their chosen location, such as the East Des Moines clinic at 515-248-1600 or the Marshalltown clinic at 641-753-4021. The website also provides a 'Find a Clinic' tool to view hours, services, and directions for each site.

The clinic network offers 129,757 encounters and served 38,382 patients in 2025, with 75 licensed clinicians and 367 employees working across the system. The organization is a Health Center Program grantee under 42 U.S.C. 254b and a deemed Public Health Service employee under 42 U.S.C. 233.

Some reviewers on Trustburn praise the doctors for being knowledgeable and attentive, while noting that staff are friendly and facilities are clean. However, a few users mentioned feeling rushed during appointments and experiencing long waiting times.

The Trustburn rating is 4.1 out of 5 from 8 reviews, with the most recent feedback dated November 22, 2023. The reviews range from 3 to 5 stars, with several 5-star ratings highlighting long-term satisfaction with the quality of care.

PHC provides a variety of services including family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, and maternal health/midwifery. Additional offerings include dental care, behavioral health, pharmacy services, and specialized HIV/STI care through The Project of PHC.

The organization emphasizes a 'Medical Home' model where care coordinators and patient navigators help remove barriers, such as explaining benefits or connecting patients to community resources. They also offer language support through interpreters and bilingual staff.

Clinics operate at multiple addresses including 3509 E. 29th Street in Des Moines, 1200 University Avenue in Des Moines, and 7555 Hickman Road in Urbandale. Each location has its own dedicated phone number and suite numbers for different departments like pharmacy or The Project of PHC.

The website states that some visits can be completed using telehealth, allowing patients to talk to providers via phone or tablet. However, some services are best in person, and patients are advised to ask if their specific visit can be done remotely.

Some users on Reddit have expressed frustration with appointment policies, comparing them to a 'broken 24-Hour Policy' that makes it difficult to see a doctor. Others have noted the convenience of the online appointment system and the friendly nature of the staff.

The business offers a sliding fee discount program and financial assistance for those who qualify, alongside a nonpartisan statement and a good faith estimate for patients. They also provide a digital health platform called MyChart for managing appointments and records.

PHC partners with schools, shelters, and local organizations to bring prevention and education into the community. The organization also highlights a 'warm handoff' approach where providers introduce patients to teammates like behavioral health therapists or pharmacists.

The organization's mission is to improve quality of life through health care and supportive services, guided by a vision to innovate and invest in compassionate, skilled teams. They aim to create a safe, welcoming place for patients and staff.

The official website of Primary health care, inc is phcinc.net.