A three-year federal grant will help health centers across Montana improve their care for patients.

The Montana Primary Care Association announced Thursday that it has been awarded nearly $1.5 million over three years by the federal Health Resources and Services Administrations Bureau of Primary Care Health Center Controlled Network. The grant calls for annual payments of $475,000.

Within 90 days of the award, the Primary Care Association will meet with participating health care centers to complete a work plan. There are 15 health centers that are members of the association.

Health centers are defined as community-based and patient-directed organizations that serve populations with limited access to health care. In Montana, theyre found in both remote locations, such as Ashland, Chinook and Libby, as well as in more populous cities including Helena, Missoula and Billings.

The ultimate goal of the grant is to improve health outcomes in patient treatment, Bob Marsalli, the executive director of the Primary Care Association, said on Thursday.

The grant will help constrain or reduce health care costs, improve the health care experience for patients and seek to improve the health of a population, he added.

Without the grant, Marsalli noted, the innovations already under way at health centers would take longer to complete and each organization would be left to improve its operations without assistance.

David Mark, the CEO of Big Horn Valley Health Center in Hardin, said assistance provided by Primary Care Association is vital to our existence and that is offers a source of technical advice and support services.

The association also gives health centers a unified voice and helps them network on issues, Mark said. The association serves as an advocate for health centers although it does not have a management role in their operations.

Having access to electronic medical records, Mark said, will improve the ability to share information and examine how health care is being provided to patients.

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Health care group lands $1.5 million grant