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Revision 26-2; Effective Sept. 1, 2026
This section describes the requirements and recommendations for the delivery of Primary Heath Care (PHC) clinical services to clients. Grantees also must develop protocols consistent with national evidence-based guidelines appropriate to their target population.
All providers must offer the following six priority primary health care services on-site or by referral:
- Diagnosis and treatment of common acute and chronic diseases that affect the general health of the client, including:
- initial contact with a client for an undiagnosed health concern and
- continuing care of varied medical conditions not limited by cause or organ system.
- Emergency Medical Services must be for the urgent care of an unexpected health condition that requires immediate attention as determined by the appropriate medical staff. Services must be those that can be treated in a primary care clinic or setting.
- Family Planning Services preventive health and medical services that assist a person in controlling fertility and achieving optimal reproductive and general health, including:
- health check-up and physical exam
- contraception
- natural family planning
- lab tests for:
- sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- pregnancy testing
- counseling for:
- abstinence
- preconception
- nutrition
- infertility
- Preventive Health Services may include:
- immunizations
- cancer screenings
- screenings for chronic conditions
- health screenings to determine the need for intervention and possibly more comprehensive evaluation
- Health Education includes planned learning experiences based on sound theories that provide people, groups and communities the opportunity to increase knowledge and skills needed to make healthy decisions.
- Diagnostic Laboratory and Radiological Services
- These services must be medically necessary.
- They are technical laboratory and radiological services ordered and provided by, or under the direction of, a physician in an office or a facility other than a hospital inpatient setting.
Grantees are strongly encouraged to visit the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force website for more guidance on preventive services.
PHC grantees, with prior HHSC approval, may also offer the following optional services, as funds allow and as needed by the population served in their local area:
- nutrition services
- health screening
- home health care
- dental care
- vision care
- transportation
- prescription drugs
- environmental health
- podiatry
- social services
Find details about these optional services in the required monthly performance report in 6100, Reimbursement, Data Collection, and Reports of this manual. Email PrimaryHealthCare@hhs.texas.gov for approval of optional services or more information.