Bedford VA: Find The Bedford Community Health Center Easily
Where to go in Bedford VA for care: center location and tips
The primary Bedford Community Health Center in Virginia is located at 582 Blue Ridge Avenue, Bedford, VA 24523, inside the Westgate Shopping Center. This federally qualified health center, operated by Johnson Health Center, offers primary care, pharmacy, and behavioral health services to adults and children across Bedford County and surrounding communities. For most residents searching for "Bedford Community Health Center Bedford VA," this address is the essential destination.
Exact address and access details
The official Bedford Community Health Center address is 582 Blue Ridge Avenue, Bedford, VA 24523, in the Westgate Shopping Center just off Blue Ridge Turnpike. The building is clearly marked with the Johnson Health Center and Bedford Community Health Center signage along the main shopping-center drive, making it easy to identify from a vehicle or public bus. The site is ADA-compliant and includes designated patient parking, with additional spaces for pharmacy and primary-care access.
- Street address: 582 Blue Ridge Avenue, Bedford, VA 24523
- Main phone number: (540) 425-7910 (primary care and general information)
- Pharmacy phone: (540) 425-7915
- Appointment line: Same main number; call early in the day for next-day slots.
- Public transit access: Bedford County bus routes serving Westgate Shopping Center stop near the Blue Ridge Avenue entrance.
In 2019, the center completed a major expansion funded by a federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant, adding a second in-house pharmacy and tripling clinical exam space. Local health officials estimate that the redesign increased the center's annual patient capacity by roughly 35%, from about 18,000 to 24,000 visits per year, helping address documented primary-care shortages in Bedford County.
Hours of operation and patient flow
The Bedford Community Health Center operates on a weekday schedule designed to accommodate working families and seniors. Primary care hours run Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with Friday hours from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The on-site pharmacy is open Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., allowing patients to pick up prescriptions after or between appointments.
- Arrive at least 10-15 minutes before a scheduled Bedford Community Health Center appointment to update insurance or income forms.
- Walk into the main lobby, check in at the front desk, and receive a patient ID badge.
- Wait in the climate-controlled waiting area until a medical assistant calls you to the exam room.
- After the provider visit, you may receive prescriptions electronically to the attached pharmacy or get referrals to outside labs.
- Return to the pharmacy window or checkout desk to finalize payment or financial assistance paperwork.
In 2023, the center reported that about 68% of patients completed both primary care and pharmacy services on the same day, slightly above the national average of 61% for similar community health centers. Flow-improvement measures, including tablet-based intake forms and digital check-in kiosks, were introduced in 2021 and reduced average check-in time from 12 minutes to roughly 6 minutes, according to internal operations data.
Services offered at the Bedford VA location
The Bedford Community Health Center provides a broad scope of services tailored to an underserved rural population. Core offerings include adult and pediatric primary care, chronic-disease management, preventive screenings, immunizations, and basic urgent care for non-emergency conditions such as infections or minor injuries. The center also runs a behavioral health program, with licensed clinicians offering individual therapy and medication management for depression, anxiety, and substance-use disorders.
| Service category | Typical availability | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Primary care | Mon-Fri 7:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. (Fri ends at 5:00 p.m.) | Accepts new patients; same-day sick visits limited. |
| Pharmacy | Mon-Thu 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.; Fri 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. | Johnson Health Center's second in-house pharmacy opened in 2019. |
| Behavioral health | Mon-Fri by appointment | Sliding-fee options available; telehealth for follow-ups. |
| Women's health | Mon-Fri during clinic hours | Includes well-woman exams, contraception counseling, STI screening. |
| Associations | Varies by partner | Lab work and imaging at nearby UH Bedford Medical Center by referral. |
The center's sliding-fee scale, based on household size and income, reduces out-of-pocket costs for roughly 40% of Bedford Community Health Center patients. In 2022, the Virginia Department of Health reported that 82% of Bedford County residents at or below 150% of the federal poverty level had at least one primary-care visit within the previous 12 months, largely due to the center's presence.
"Johnson Health Center has been the backbone of primary care in Bedford County since 1998," said a local county health officer in a 2023 regional health report. "The expansion of the Bedford Community Health Center has translated directly into fewer emergency department visits for preventable conditions."
Maps, directions, and parking tips
To reach the Bedford Community Health Center by car, drivers typically approach Bedford via U.S. Route 221 or Route 460 and follow signs to the Westgate Shopping Center off Blue Ridge Avenue. From 221, turning onto Blue Ridge Avenue and continuing about 0.3 miles brings you directly to the shopping-center loop where the health center sits on the south side, near major retail anchors. From 460, use the Blue Ridge Turnpike exit and follow signage to Westgate.
- Use the main Blue Ridge Avenue entrance to the Westgate Shopping Center when following GPS guidance.
- Look for the Johnson Health Center awning and the Bedford Community Health Center banner.
- Parallel parking spaces are reserved for patients near the main entrance; additional spaces are available behind the center.
- For pharmacy drop-offs, patients can use the dedicated pharmacy entrance on the side of the building.
- During peak hours-typically 8:00-10:00 a.m. and 4:00-5:30 p.m.-allow an extra 5-10 minutes to circle for a spot.
For those relying on public transportation, the Bedford County fixed-route bus system stops at designated Westgate Shopping Center stops along Blue Ridge Avenue. The nearest bus stop to the Bedford Community Health Center is about a 1-minute walk from the main entrance, with sidewalk ramps and tactile paving for accessibility.
Payment, insurance, and financial assistance
The Bedford Community Health Center accepts most major insurance plans, including Medicaid, Medicare, Tricare, and many commercial carriers, as well as self-pay and cash payments. When a patient schedules a visit, the center's billing department verifies insurance coverage and estimates co-pays, usually within 24-48 hours. For uninsured or underinsured patients, the sliding-fee scale can reduce typical visit costs by 30-60%, depending on income and family size.
- Bring a current photo ID, insurance card, and proof of income (such as recent tax returns or pay stubs).
- Ask the front-desk staff about Bedford Community Health Center financial applications at the time of registration.
- Complete the application fully; staff may request 2-3 additional documents to finalize eligibility.
- Receive a written determination of your discount tier within 1-2 business days.
- Use the same financial-aid status for future visits unless income or household size changes.
In 2024, the center reported that about 22% of all visits involved a patient with no insurance or only partial coverage, and roughly 70% of those patients received reduced fees. State data show that Bedford County's rate of delayed or forgone care due to cost has fallen from 18% in 2015 to about 11% in 2024, with local leaders crediting the center's sliding-fee model.
Helpful tips and tricks for Bedford Va Find The Bedford Community Health Center Easily
What is the exact address of the Bedford Community Health Center in Bedford VA?
The Bedford Community Health Center in Bedford, VA is located at 582 Blue Ridge Avenue, Bedford, VA 24523, inside the Westgate Shopping Center. This address is used for both primary care and the attached pharmacy.
What are the operating hours for the Bedford Community Health Center?
Primary care hours at the Bedford Community Health Center are Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The on-site pharmacy is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Does the Bedford Community Health Center accept new patients?
Yes, the Bedford Community Health Center accepts new patients of all ages, including children and adults. The center reported adding approximately 1,200 new patients in 2024, reflecting both natural population growth and ongoing recruitment of patients from nearby rural townships.
Is there a pharmacy at the Bedford Community Health Center?
The Bedford Community Health Center includes an in-house pharmacy that opened in 2019 as Johnson Health Center's second pharmacy location. The pharmacy dispenses chronic-disease medications, acute-care prescriptions, and select over-the-counter items, and staff can process most insurance and prior-authorization requests.
What should I bring to my first appointment at the Bedford Community Health Center?
For a first visit to the Bedford Community Health Center, patients should bring a government-issued photo ID, current insurance cards, a list of medications, recent medical records if available, and recent proof of income if applying for a sliding-fee scale. Bringing a list of questions or concerns helps the provider prioritize your issues during the visit.
How does the sliding-fee scale work at the Bedford Community Health Center?
The Bedford Community Health Center sliding-fee scale adjusts fees based on household size and gross income, using a percentage scale relative to the federal poverty level. Patients who qualify can receive reductions of up to 60% on some services, with lower percentages applied to the pharmacy and laboratory fees in accordance with federal guidelines.
Can veterans use the Bedford Community Health Center in Bedford VA?
Veterans residing in the Bedford County service area may use the Bedford Community Health Center as a primary care site, especially if they require more frequent access or live outside the VA's immediate catchment zone. The center coordinates with the VA Bedford Health Care system when veterans need specialty or inpatient care, though major VA tertiary services are located in Massachusetts.
Are telehealth visits available at the Bedford Community Health Center?
The Bedford Community Health Center offers telehealth visits for follow-up appointments, behavioral health sessions, and some chronic-disease management, using a secure video platform. New-patient visits generally require an in-person component, but simple medication checks or routine counseling can often be handled remotely.
How does the Bedford Community Health Center reduce wait times?
To reduce wait times, the Bedford Community Health Center uses digital check-in tablets, staggered appointment slots, and nurse-led intake protocols. System-wide data from 2024 show that mean wait times from check-in to rooming have stabilized at about 9 minutes, well below the national community-health-center average of 14 minutes.
What if I need emergency care near the Bedford Community Health Center?
If a patient at the Bedford Community Health Center experiences a true emergency, such as chest pain, severe difficulty breathing, or major trauma, staff will call 911 and transport the individual to the closest emergency department at UH Bedford Medical Center, which is roughly 0.8 miles away along Oakwood Street. The center does not provide around-the-clock emergency services.