COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

To date, HRSA has awarded more than $9.6 billion to support HRSA-funded health centers and Health Center Program look-alikes in responding to COVID-19:

• On Tuesday, March 24, 2020, HRSA released $100 million in funding provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020 (PDF) (activity code H8C).
• On Wednesday, April 8, 2020 HRSA released more than $1.3 billion in funding provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (PDF) (activity code H8D).
• On Thursday, May 7, 2020, HRSA released approximately $583 million in Expanding Capacity for Coronavirus Testing (ECT) funding provided by the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (PDF) (PDF - 287 KB) (activity code H8E).
• On Thursday, July 9, 2020, HRSA released more than $17 million in Look-Alikes: Expanding Capacity for Coronavirus Testing (LAL ECT) funding provided by the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (PDF) (activity code L1C).
• On Thursday, April 1, 2021, HRSA released more than $6.1 billion in funding provided by the American Rescue Plan Act (PDF) for health centers (activity code H8F).
• On Thursday, July 15, 2021, HRSA released nearly $144 million in funding provided by the American Rescue Plan Act (PDF) for Health Center Program look-alikes (activity code L2C).
• On Tuesday, September 28, 2021, HRSA released nearly $1 billion in funding provided by the American Rescue Plan Act (PDF) to support major health care construction and renovation projects at health centers (activity code C8E).
• On Monday, August 8, 2022, HRSA released nearly $90 million in American Rescue Plan Uniform Data System Patient-Level Submission (ARP-UDS+) supplemental funding to ARP-funded health centers (H8F) and look-alikes (L2C).
• On Friday, December 9, 2022, HRSA released approximately $350 million in Expanding COVID-19 Vaccination (ECV) funding to Health Center Program award recipients and look-alikes that received American Rescue Plan (L2C) awards (activity code H8G).
• On Friday, September 1, 2023, HRSA awarded approximately $81.1 million in one-time Bridge funding to Health Center Program award recipients and look-alikes that received American Rescue Plan (L2C) awards to continue equitable access to COVID-19 testing, vaccination, and treatment.

In fiscal year 2020, HRSA awarded nearly $12.9 million to support training and technical assistance to enhance health centers’ COVID-19 response:

• More than $5.8 million to 52 Primary Care Associations.
• Nearly $2.5 million to 21 National Training and Technical Assistance Partners.
• More than $4.5 million to 49 Health Center Controlled Networks.

In fiscal year 2021, HRSA awarded over $32 million in American Rescue Plan funding to support COVID-19 related training, technical assistance, and health information technology support:

• Approximately $16.3 million to 52 Primary Care Associations.
• Approximately $5.5 million to 21 National Training and Technical Assistance Partners.
• Approximately $10.5 million to 49 Health Center Controlled Networks.

For additional information, see the Coronavirus-Related Funding Frequently Asked Questions, the American Rescue Plan Funding for Health Centers Frequently Asked Questions, the American Rescue Plan Funding for Look-Alikes Frequently Asked Questions, and the American Rescue Plan – Health Center Construction and Capital Improvements Frequently Asked Questions.

(Updated: 9/11/2023)

The Provider Relief Fund supported health care-related expenses or lost revenue attributable to COVID-19, and the Uninsured Program and Coverage Assistance Fund ensured that uninsured and underinsured individuals could get services related to COVID-19. See HRSA’s Provider Relief webpage for details about these programs. For answers to specific questions, providers should call the toll-free Provider Support Line at 866-569-3522.

(Updated: 1/17/2023)

Between April 2021 and September 2021, the Department of Defense in partnership with HHS provided a total of 5.1 million adult-sized masks and 7.4 million child-sized masks to HRSA-supported health centers for free distribution to patients, staff, and members of the community.

Health centers were directed to distribute masks free of charge and to develop a distribution plan consistent with their understanding of the needs of their patients, staff, and community. There was no reporting or tracking required in the distribution of the masks.

(Added: 7/19/2022)
 

Between January 2022 and June 2022, HRSA provided more than 18.6 million N95 masks from the HHS Strategic National Stockpile to HRSA-supported health centers for free distribution to patients, staff, and members of the community. This program also provided free N95 masks to Medicare-certified rural health clinics.

Health centers were directed to distribute masks free of charge to patients, staff, and any members of the community who requested them, with a maximum of three masks available for each individual. Participating health centers were expected to answer the Health Center COVID-19 Survey questions specific to the HRSA Health Center COVID-19 N95 Mask Program, which described the number of masks distributed, the method of distribution, and the populations served.

(Added: 7/19/2022)
 

The preferred method for accomplishing construction development is by soliciting through a competitive bid process consistent with 45 CFR §75.326 - §75.333. However, awardees may consider using their own work force (force account) if they can demonstrate that it would be cost effective and that qualified personnel are available to accomplish the work. You will need to provide the following information to HRSA for review:

• Justification for accomplishing the construction work by force account rather than by contract;
• Estimate of force account costs based on expected work hours, hourly rates, and non-salary costs;
• Estimate of contract construction costs based on typical items of work, quantities of work, and estimated unit prices;
• Summary cost comparison between using force account and contract construction;
• Names and qualifications of personnel to be used on the force account;
• Statement by the awardee concerning their capability to perform the various tasks of design, supervision, inspections, and testing as required for the intended project work;
• Statement by the awardee on the availability of their personnel to integrate the project into their normal workload; and
• Schedule identifying critical tasks and dates for when each task will be completed.

Additional information related to force account labor (PDF) is available from BPHC.

(Added: 5/21/2020)

Health Center Program requirements form the foundation and support the core mission of the health center model of primary care. However, HRSA recognizes that due to COVID-19 there may be certain requirements with which a health center cannot demonstrate compliance within the timeframe or specific manner indicated in the Compliance Manual. (For example, staff may be unable to complete basic life support (BLS) re-certification in accordance with the health center’s timeline in its credentialing and privileging procedures, the completion of the health center's needs assessment might be delayed to reflect more current data for an extended project period, or there could be a delay in the release of the health center’s regular patient satisfaction survey.) HRSA will consider the impact of COVID-19 on the ability of health centers to demonstrate compliance with Health Center Program requirements when making future compliance determinations.

In addition to compliance, each health center is responsible for maintaining its operations, in compliance with all other applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulation beyond HRSA’s authority. This includes but is not limited to those protecting public welfare, the environment, and prohibiting discrimination; state facility and licensing laws; state scope of practice laws; Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Conditions for Coverage for FQHCs; and state Medicaid requirements. For information on any flexibilities or waivers of other requirements, consult the applicable agency.

Updated: 9/28/2021

Yes, as indicated in the Health Center Program Compliance Manual, where geography or other circumstances make monthly, in-person participation in board meetings burdensome, health centers may conduct monthly meetings by telephone or other means of electronic communication where all parties can both listen and speak to all other parties.

(Added: 3/19/2020)

In accordance with current Health Center Program billing and collections requirements, health centers must make every reasonable effort to collect appropriate reimbursement for their costs, including billing Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and other public and private insurance or assistance programs, as applicable. Health centers must apply their sliding fee discount schedules consistent with their established policies and procedures.

Health centers’ application of their sliding fee discount programs through their billing systems also should take into account any reimbursement from all third-party payors (including any/all reimbursements under any insurance policy or health plan, or under any federal or state health benefits program), including any associated patient cost sharing requirements (i.e., copayments, deductibles, coinsurance, or restrictions on balance billing).

Consistent with health centers’ billing and collections procedures, health centers should ascertain whether there are available reimbursement, funding, or compensation sources and any related cost sharing restrictions for COVID-19 vaccination, testing, or treatment prior to billing patients. If there are any patient out-of-pocket costs, health centers should apply their sliding fee discounts, which are based on income and family size. If there are any applicable prohibitions on patient cost sharing, after submitting their claims for reimbursement to the applicable payor source(s), health centers should not charge patients for such costs.

Each health center is responsible for ensuring adherence to any terms and conditions that apply to specific programs or reimbursement, funding, or compensation sources for COVID-19 vaccination, testing, or treatment.

See the Health Center Program Compliance Manual for additional information on Health Center Program sliding fee discount requirements. For additional information on billing and patient cost sharing for health centers, see the Billing and Cost Sharing Overview for COVID-19 Vaccination, Testing, and Treatment resource.

(Updated: 11/9/2023)

Health centers are required to continue providing sliding fee discounts and maximizing reimbursement, and they must continue to ensure that no patient is denied service based on inability to pay. However, consistent with Health Center Program requirements, health centers have discretion to amend policies (with board approval) and/or modify operating procedures in response to COVID-19, as long as such changes are consistent with applicable statutory, regulatory, and policy requirements. This includes the flexibility to adjust policies and operating procedures for billing and collections and/or sliding fee discounts based on the unique circumstances of the health center and patient population served. These flexibilities may include but are not limited to:

• Offering additional billing options or payment methods (for example, payment plans, grace periods, mail-in options for payment) that address the need to limit in-person visits to the health center to reduce exposure for both patients and staff. The health center’s operating procedures for implementing these options or methods must ensure they are accessible to all patients regardless of income level or sliding fee discount pay class.
• Eliminating nominal charges for individuals and families at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
• Revising the sliding fee discount schedule(s) to enhance effectiveness in reducing financial barriers to care. For example, health centers can adjust the percentages or reduce the amount of the fixed/flat fee used for discounting fees for patients with incomes between 100% and 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
• Adjusting procedures to assess patient eligibility for sliding fee discounts to accommodate the circumstances of the patient population. For example, the health center may permit self-declaration of income and family size due to limitations of providing in-person documentation caused by COVID-19.
• Expanding the specific circumstances the health center will consider when waiving or reducing fees or payments due to any patient’s inability to pay.

If health centers are discounting or waiving out of pocket costs, including co-pays for patients who have third-party coverage, such discounts may be subject to legal and contractual restrictions (i.e., any limitations that may be specified by applicable federal or state programs, or private payor contracts).

For more information, see Health Center Program Sliding Fee Discount Program requirements and Health Center Program Billing and Collections requirements.

(Added: 5/6/2020)

Health centers may not have a separate sliding fee discount schedule for telehealth. However, where the locally prevailing charges or the actual costs for services delivered via telehealth differ from those delivered in person, health centers may have different charges on a fee schedule. For example, if the cost of providing a primary health care visit through telehealth is less than an in-person visit, the health center may establish a separate, lower charge for the telehealth primary care visit on the fee schedule. The health center would then apply their sliding fee discount schedule to the charge for the telehealth visit, which would be the same sliding fee discount schedule applied to an in-person primary care visit. For more information, see Health Center Program Billing and Collections requirements.

(Added: 5/6/2020)

Due to the impact of COVID-19, HRSA suspended all in-person OSVs in March 2020 and began conducting virtual OSVs. Most aspects of the virtual OSV remained the same as a traditional on-site OSV, with secure file sharing and video conferencing technology allowing for remote access to documents and participants. 

Since summer 2022, HRSA has been conducting both in-person and virtual OSVs. Health centers due for an OSV will be contacted by HRSA to schedule and discuss logistics.

(Updated: 5/17/2023)

HRSA continues to welcome LAL ID applications on a rolling basis. For additional information, see the LAL ID technical assistance webpage.

To be designated as a look-alike, applicants must meet eligibility requirements and comply with all Health Center Program requirements at the time of application. LAL ID site visits are a critical part of the look-alike designation process. Due to the impact of COVID-19, HRSA has been conducting virtual site visits for LAL ID applicants who successfully meet completeness and eligibility requirements. HRSA expects to return to conducting some LAL ID site visits in-person later in 2023. 

(Updated: 5/17/2023)

Items such as masks, COVID-19 tests, or COVID-19 vaccines that health centers receive for free from the federal government are considered to be in-kind donations and should be reported and accounted for by health centers accordingly. Please contact your Grants Management Specialist if you have any questions.

Related resources regarding in-kind reporting and valuation are available from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Financial Accounting Standards Board (PDF)

(Added: 9/14/2021)

The COVID-19 public health emergency ended on May 11, 2023. See the statement from the HHS Secretary.

A list of all public health emergency declarations is available from the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response. 

(Updated: 5/17/2023)

Health centers may participate in clinical research for COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics within the Health Center Program scope of project incident to providing primary and approved additional health services to health center patients. Health centers that participate in such research must comply with all applicable laws and requirements, including but not limited to those pertaining to the protection of human research subjects (including requirements for informed consent and institutional review board approval) and ensuring privacy/confidentiality of patient health information. As the conduct of clinical research is highly regulated, health centers may wish to consult private legal counsel regarding applicable laws and requirements.

For more information regarding Health Center Program requirements related to patient safety and safeguarding the confidentiality of patient information, please review Chapter 10: Quality Improvement/Assurance (QI/QA) of the Health Center Program Compliance Manual. For information regarding health information privacy protection requirements, please review the HHS webpage on HIPAA for Professionals. For information on FTCA coverage for deemed health centers relating to clinical research, see Section C.5.5 Clinical research in the FTCA Health Center Policy Manual (PDF - 406 KB) and the question “Does FTCA coverage apply to health center staff engaged in COVID-19 clinical research trials?” in the FTCA section of this FAQ webpage.

Health centers can also support COVID-19 research for vaccines and therapeutics by encouraging patient participation in clinical research studies conducted by other organizations.

(Added: 10/23/2020)

The HRSA Health Center COVID-19 Therapeutics Program provides health centers with a direct allocation of oral antiviral treatments for the outpatient treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19. The program began in December 2021 at approximately 200 health centers. On March 7, 2022, the program doubled the number of invited health centers to over 400, and on March 28, 2022, the program became open to all health centers and Health Center Program look-alikes who can attest to the program requirements.

If you are interested in participating in the HRSA Health Center COVID-19 Therapeutics Program or want to renew your participation, please use the BPHC Contact Form to let us know.

(Updated: 11/9/2023)

The Health Center Program Community is an online platform for COVID-19 Response Program participants (including vaccines, testing supplies, and therapeutics) to get answers, interact with other participating health centers, and access training and technical assistance resources. It is also being expanded as an information resource for additional topics related to the Health Center Program.

(Added: 6/21/2022) 

The HHS Secretary issued a declaration of a national public health emergency regarding COVID-19 on January 31, 2020. This public health emergency ended on May 11, 2023. Health centers should be aware that some exceptions that were based on the public health emergency declaration may no longer be applicable or will sunset on dates specified by HRSA.

As detailed in PAL 2020-05: Requesting a Change in Scope to Add Temporary Service Sites in Response to Emergency Events (PDF - 266 KB): "HRSA recognizes that during an emergency, health centers are likely to participate in an organized state or local response, including by providing primary or preventive care services at temporary locations." Health centers may set up temporary sites that are “within the health center's service area or a county, parish, or other political subdivision adjacent to the health center's service area" (for in-scope services) with notification made to BPHC within 15 days. PAL 2020-05 (PDF - 266 KB)  includes full details and requirements to ensure that the emergency response at temporary locations is considered part of the center's scope of project.

For purposes of FTCA coverage, patients served by covered individuals at temporary locations included in the covered entity's scope of project are considered the covered entity's patients. As such, the covered entity and its providers are covered by FTCA for services provided during the emergency at temporary locations." (See the FTCA Health Center Policy Manual (PDF - 406 KB) Section (I) F: A record of the services provided for each patient should be maintained.)

In addition, please see: Section (I) C.3 of the FTCA Health Center Policy Manual (PDF - 406 KB), Provision of Services to Health Center Patients, which states in part: "To meet the FTCA requirement of providing services to health center patients, a patient-provider relationship must be established. For the purposes of FSHCAA/FTCA coverage, the patient-provider relationship is established when: … Health center triage services are provided by telephone or in person, even when the patient is not yet registered with the covered entity but is intended to be registered."

Please also see the FTCA Health Center Policy Manual (PDF - 406 KB) Section (I) C.4 regarding Coverage in Certain Individual Emergencies.

Additionally, please see PAL 2017-07: Temporary Privileging of Clinical Providers by Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) Deemed Health Centers in Response to Certain Declared Emergency Situations (PDF - 286 KB).

For questions about FTCA as it relates to emergency events, please use the BPHC Contact Form or call for FTCA assistance at 877-464-4772, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET, Monday-Friday (except federal holidays).

(Updated: 8/9/2023)

Site visits are a critical part of the oversight and compliance process for deemed health centers. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, HRSA suspended in-person site visits temporarily and conducted virtual site visits beginning in November 2020. Beginning in August 2022, FTCA site visits may be conducted virtually or on-site, as determined by the program. Health centers selected for either type of site visit will be notified by HRSA staff. For additional information and resources, please see the FTCA Site Visit Protocol. For questions, please email the FTCA site visit team at BPHCFTCASiteVisit@hrsa.gov, use the BPHC Contact Form, or call 877-464-4772, option 1.

(Updated: 12/14/2022)

When in-scope services are provided through telehealth on behalf of a deemed health center to either established patients or individuals who are not patients of the health center, and all other FTCA Program requirements are met, such services may be eligible for liability protections under 42 U.S.C. 233(g)-(n), pursuant to 42 CFR 6.6.

Health centers and providers are encouraged to consult with private counsel and/or consider the purchase of private malpractice insurance when undertaking activities that may not be within the health center’s scope of project.

(Updated: 8/9/2023)

Yes, the 21st Century Cures Act (Pub. L. 114-255) extended liability protections to Volunteer Health Professionals (VHPs) for the performance of medical, surgical, dental, and related functions at health centers. For liability protections to apply under section 224(q) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. § 233(q)), the volunteer must be a health care professional who is licensed or certified to provide clinical services. This would include Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Medical Assistants (MAs) who are licensed or certified. Volunteers who are not licensed or certified are not eligible for VHP coverage.

VHPs are not automatically eligible for liability protections under the Health Center FTCA Program. Deemed health centers must apply for such protections for their individual volunteers through a VHP deeming sponsorship application. See Program Assistance Letter (PAL) 2022-05: Calendar Year 2023 Volunteer Health Professional (VHP) Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) Deeming Sponsorship Application Instructions (PDF - 504 KB). The deemed health center must submit to HRSA and receive approval of a VHP deeming sponsorship application for each individual volunteer.

(Updated: 12/14/2022)

Health centers can complete a VHP deeming sponsorship application by accessing the Electronic Handbooks (EHBs) and going to the FTCA application section. The EHBs allow sponsoring health centers to submit multiple VHPs in one application submission. For assistance with this process, please use the BPHC Contact Form or call for FTCA assistance at 877-464-4772, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET, Monday-Friday (except federal holidays).

Applications for VHP deeming must be submitted by the health center's Authorized Official. However, health centers may seek technical assistance in preparing and submitting such applications from PCAs and other third parties.

(Updated: 12/14/2022)

Health centers and their providers are strongly encouraged to exercise caution, as FTCA liability protections may be placed at risk when a provider acts on behalf of more than one entity under circumstances that do not make it clear in what capacity the individual was acting at the time of an event that becomes the subject of a claim or lawsuit. Health centers are reminded that when FTCA matters become the subject of litigation, the U.S. Department of Justice and the federal courts assume significant roles in certifying or determining whether a given activity falls within the scope of employment for purposes of FTCA coverage. Health centers and providers are encouraged to consult with private counsel and/or consider the purchase of private malpractice insurance when individual providers wish to undertake activities on behalf of multiple entities and/or in multiple capacities.

(Added: 3/19/2020)

Yes.  Otherwise qualified free clinic health care practitioners, employees, and contractors who have been deemed as Public Health Service employees for purposes of liability protections through the Free Clinics FTCA Program are eligible for such protections for screenings and triage activities relating to the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19, as well as for other qualifying health services, provided to patients and other individuals seeking such services from the free clinic. These services may be provided at the free clinic or offsite, including at offsite programs or events carried out by the free clinic, which includes providing services on behalf of the free clinic at “drive-up” screening locations in the free clinic parking lot or in other nearby locations.

Free clinic providers located at the free clinic or in such other locations may also utilize telehealth to facilitate the delivery of services to free clinic patients and other individuals. All such contact must be appropriately documented in free clinic patient medical records. In addition, all other Free Clinics FTCA Program requirements remain applicable. For additional information, see Policy Information Notice 2011-02: Free Clinics Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) Program Policy Guide (PDF - 380 KB), and other FTCA Policy for Free Clinics.

(Updated: 12/14/2022)

Yes. The definition of a “free clinic,” as established by the authorizing statute for the Free Clinics FTCA Program, requires that the entity not seek reimbursement for the health care that it provides. Section 233(o)(3) of title 42, United States Code, states in pertinent part: “the entity does not, in providing health services through the facility, accept reimbursement from any third-party payor (including reimbursement under any insurance policy or health plan, or under any Federal or State health benefits program).” In addition, 42 U.S.C. § 233(o)(2)(D) precludes a health care practitioner or free clinic from receiving “any compensation for [a health service] from the individual or from any third-party payor (including reimbursement under any insurance policy or health plan, or under any Federal or State health benefits program).”

HRSA’s Provider Relief Fund frequently asked questions state the following:

The COVID-19 Claims Reimbursement to Health Care Providers and Facilities for Testing and Treatment of the Uninsured Program provides reimbursements on a rolling basis directly to eligible providers for claims that are attributed to the testing and treatment of COVID-19 for uninsured individuals.

Health care providers who have conducted COVID-19 testing of uninsured individuals or provided treatment to uninsured individuals with a COVID-19 diagnosis for dates of service or admittance on or after February 4, 2020 may be eligible for claims reimbursement through the program as long as the service(s) provided meet the coverage and billing requirements established as part of the program.

Under the Free Clinics FTCA Program, an entity that accepts or receives reimbursement for the provision of health services from a third-party payor is not eligible to sponsor a provider deeming application, nor may the entity or the provider accept such compensation for the service provided. Accepting such reimbursement may therefore place at risk the availability of liability protections under this statute for the actions of the entity’s deemed providers. Free clinics should consult private counsel as needed for legal advice.

For additional information, see PIN 2011-02: Free Clinics Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) Program Policy Guide (PDF - 380 KB).

(Added: 5/20/2020)

HRSA issued a particularized determination for health center providers (PDF - 34 KB) that clarifies eligibility for FTCA coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic for the provision of grant-supported health services by individuals who have been deemed as Public Health Service employees through the Health Center FTCA Program and the Health Center VHP FTCA Program. It applies to grant-supported health services to prevent, prepare, or respond to COVID-19 (including but not limited to screening, triage, testing, diagnosis, and treatment) to individuals who are established or non-established patients of the health center, whether in person at the health center, offsite (including at offsite programs or events carried out by the health center), or via telehealth.

Note: Following the end of the public health emergency originally declared on January 31, 2020, HRSA has determined that the particularized determination for health center providers shall sunset and expire on December 31, 2024. Health centers should consult the FTCA Health Center Policy Manual (PDF - 406 KB), sections C.4 and C.5, for more information on covered services to non-patients.

(Added: 8/9/2023)

HRSA has issued a particularized determination for free clinic providers (PDF - 33 KB) that clarifies eligibility for FTCA coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic for the provision of qualifying health services by individuals who have been deemed as Public Health Service employees through the Free Clinics FTCA Program. It applies to qualifying health services to prevent, prepare, or respond to COVID-19 (including but not limited to screening, triage, testing, diagnosis, and treatment) to individuals who are established or non-established patients of the free clinic, whether in person at the free clinic, through responsive offsite programs or events carried out by the free clinic, or via telehealth.

Note: Following the end of the public health emergency originally declared on January 31, 2020, HRSA has determined that the particularized determination for free clinic providers shall sunset and expire on December 31, 2024. Free clinics should consult the Free Clinics FTCA Health Center Program Policy Guide (PDF - 380 KB), section IV, for more information on covered services to non-patients.

(Updated: 8/15/2023)

Under FTCA Health Center Program regulations at 42 CFR 6.6(d), only acts and omissions related to the grant-supported activities of entities covered by FTCA are eligible for FTCA coverage. Acts and omissions related to services provided to individuals who are not patients of a deemed health center (“covered entity”) are eligible for coverage only in limited circumstances and after the Secretary makes certain required determinations.

Therefore, as explained in Section C.5.5 of the FTCA Health Center Policy Manual (PDF - 406 KB), clinical research in the context of patient care, conducted by covered individuals with covered entity patients, qualifies for FTCA coverage if it is within the approved scope of project of the covered entity and the scope of employment of the covered individuals with the covered entity. To the extent that research involves non-health center patients, it is not covered by FTCA.

(Added: 9/17/2020)

Through the Health Center FTCA Program regulations, HRSA has issued several examples of situations in which deemed health centers and their covered providers have liability protections for certain activities carried out by the deemed entity and its eligible personnel. Under 42 CFR 6.6(e)(4)(D):

(D) Immunization Campaigns: On behalf of the health center, health center staff conduct or participate in an event to immunize individuals against infectious illnesses. The event may be held at the health center, schools, or elsewhere in the community.

For additional information about FTCA Program requirements, please refer to the FTCA section of the Health Center Program website, which includes links to the FTCA Health Center Policy Manual (PDF - 406 KB), Annual Deeming Application PAL (PDF - 599 KB), and Annual VHP Deeming Application PAL (PDF - 504 KB), along with other resources that provide information and instructions regarding eligibility for liability protections for health center employees, board members, officers, contractors, and volunteers.

(Added: 8/20/2020)

Health centers do not need to request HRSA prior approval via a change in scope in cases where they are temporarily closing a site due to COVID-19. Health centers should ensure their patients are made aware of closures and where and how to seek care at other service delivery sites as appropriate.

If a health center determines that it will permanently close a site, it must submit a change in scope for HRSA approval to delete the site.

(Added: 3/19/2020)

HRSA recognizes that due to COVID-19 health centers may face staffing shortages and/or facility capacity limitations and may need to prioritize appointments and staffing to address the most urgent needs of patients. No change in scope is necessary if your health center is changing the level or intensity of certain services within the scope of project. If a health center permanently removes a service from its scope of project, a change in scope request to delete the service will need to be submitted for HRSA approval.

(Added: 3/17/2020)

Yes. COVID-19 screening, triage, or testing of health center patients performed on behalf of the health center are elements of general primary care and diagnostic laboratory services as reflected on Form 5A: Services Provided.

The Health Center Program views providing screenings, triage, and testing to any patient — including both established health center patients and individuals who are not established patients of the health center – at the health center, outside on its grounds, or elsewhere in the community as within the health center's scope of project (see 42 CFR 6.6 (e)(4)(i)(C)). This includes providing such screening, triage, or testing to patients in the parking lot of the health center or in other community locations.

(Updated: 6/18/2020)

HRSA recognizes that health centers may need to change the hours of operation of their service sites due to COVID-19. No change in scope is necessary if your health center is temporarily increasing or decreasing hours of operation at one or more sites. If a health center permanently changes the hours of operation at one or more sites, they should submit a scope adjustment request for HRSA approval. As with any changes that may have impacts on access to care, health centers should ensure patients are made aware of changes to site hours of operation.

(Added: 4/7/2020)

From a Health Center Program scope of project policy perspective, using telehealth to provide services to a patient at a location that is not an in-scope service site is allowable if:

1. The service being provided via telehealth is within the health center's approved scope of project (recorded on Form 5A);
2. The clinician delivering the service is a health center provider working on behalf of the health center; and
3. The individual receiving the service is a health center patient.

HRSA strongly encourages health centers that provide, or are planning to provide, health services via telehealth to consult with professional organizations, regulatory bodies, and private counsel to help assess, develop, and maintain written telehealth policies that are compliant with Health Center Program requirements; federal, state, and local requirements; and applicable standards of practice. HRSA also encourages health centers to consider the range of issues that would support successful implementation of telehealth. Please review PAL 2020-01: Telehealth and Health Center Scope of Project (PDF - 176 KB) for more information.

For questions about FTCA coverage, please use the BPHC Contact Form or call for FTCA assistance at 877-464-4772, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET, Monday-Friday (except federal holidays).

(Updated: 4/7/2020)

Health centers do not need to request a change in scope to deliver in-scope services via telehealth on behalf of the health center from the provider’s home or from another location that is not a Form 5B Service Site. In addition, health centers do not need to have "Home Visits" listed on their Form 5C: Other Activities/ Locations in order to provide in-scope services via telehealth.

For questions about FTCA coverage, please use the BPHC Contact Form or call for FTCA assistance at 877-464-4772, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET, Monday-Friday (except federal holidays).

(Added: 4/7/2020)

The following resources provide information on the status of various COVID-19 public health emergency flexibilities and waivers. Note: This is not an exhaustive list. Health centers are encouraged to reach out to other federal, state, and local partners, including Primary Care Associations, for additional information and resources.

Telehealth flexibilities:

• The Center for Connected Health Policy (a National Telehealth Resource Center).
• State Medicaid & CHIP Telehealth Toolkit (PDF - 1 MB) located on the Medicaid telemedicine webpage.
• CMS memo: End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency and the COVID-19 National Emergency and Implications for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (PDF - 353 KB).
• HHS Fact Sheet: Telehealth Flexibilities and Resources and the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.

Service delivery and administrative flexibilities:

• CMS Guidance for the Expiration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PDF - 412 KB).
• Frequently Asked Questions: CMS Waivers, Flexibilities, and the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PDF - 521 KB).
• CMS Flexibilities to Fight COVID-19 (PDF - 569 KB): provides information about changes to Rural Health Clinic and Federally Qualified Health Center flexibilities.
• Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) Post-Public Health Emergency Guidance (PDF - 381 KB).
• Status of HHS Office for Civil Rights HIPAA enforcement discretion.
• Status of HHS Office of Inspector General enforcement action flexibilities.

(Added: 6/27/2023)
 

In response to emergency events, health centers can temporarily add sites (including tents, modular units, or trailers) that are not currently within the scope of project. These requests are not submitted through the EHBs; a health center simply provides key information via the BPHC Contact Form. 

Temporary sites must be locations that meet the definition of a service site in PIN 2008-01: Defining Scope of Project and Policy for Requesting Changes (PDF - 224 KB) as a location where all of the following conditions are met:

• Health center encounters are generated by documenting in the patients’ records face-to-face contacts between patients and providers;
• Providers exercise independent judgment in the provision of services to the patient;
• Services are provided directly by or on behalf of the grantee, whose governing board retains control and authority over the provision of the services at the location; and
• Services are provided on a regularly scheduled basis (e.g., daily, weekly, first Thursday of every month). However, there is no minimum number of hours per week that services must be available at an individual site.

HRSA’s streamlined process for adding temporary sites during emergencies is described in PAL 2020-05: Requesting a Change in Scope to Add Temporary Service Sites in Response to Emergency Events (PDF - 266 KB). We may contact you for additional information about your activities at the new locations so that HRSA can better determine if your request meets the criteria.

(Updated: 6/21/2022)

HRSA approval is not required for the provision of in-scope health center services at the following locations if these locations are already within your approved scope of project, i.e., documented on Form 5B or Form 5C, including but not limited to:

• A health center service site (on Form 5B), including any new modular units, tents, or trailers on the grounds of the 5B site;
• Mobile units (on Form 5B), including delivering in-scope services via mobile units at additional locations in the health center’s service area;
• Home visits (on Form 5C) to health center patients, including visiting health center patients in assisted living facilities and nursing homes; or
• Portable clinical care or health fairs (on Form 5C), where health center staff conduct clinical care or COVID-19 testing outside of health center sites (for example, conducting screenings, testing, or consultations in a parking lot or on the street to individuals experiencing homelessness). These activities may be coordinated with state or local health department or other community providers as long as these services are provided on behalf of the health center.

(Added: 3/30/2020)

HRSA approval is required anytime a health center will add a temporary site(s) in response to emergency events when the location would meet the service site definition as defined in Policy Information Notice (PIN) 2008-01: Defining Scope of Project and Policy for Requesting Changes (PDF - 224 KB). The information needed for this request must be submitted as soon as practicable but no later than 15 days after initiating emergency response activities. HRSA has a streamlined process outlined in PAL 2020-05: Requesting a Change in Scope to Add Temporary Service Sites in Response to Emergency Events (PDF - 266 KB)

(Updated: 4/17/2020)

HRSA’s approval of the temporary service site will automatically expire 90 days after the temporary service site’s approved effective date. To request an extension to operate a temporary site beyond 90 days, use the BPHC Contact Form.

(Updated: 6/21/2022)

If you need to close a temporary service site, please use the BPHC Contact Form to request that the site be removed from your Form 5B. There is no need to submit a change in scope request.

To request that a temporary site be converted to a permanent site, you must submit a change in scope request. If HRSA approves the request, you must verify the site as operational. Only after you verify the site should you request to remove the temporary site from your Form 5B scope of project. For more information, see HRSA's Scope of Project webpage.

(Updated: 6/21/2022)

Yes. Health Center Program funding may be used to support a wide-range of COVID-19 testing and testing-related in-scope activities, and this includes using these funds to support COVID-19 prevention and response by making available COVID-19 at-home self-tests to health center patients, consistent with FDA’s clearance, approval, or authorization of such tests.

For additional information regarding self-testing, please refer to the CDC Self-Testing webpage. For information on the availability of free at-home self-tests through the HRSA COVID-19 Testing Supply Program, visit the Expanding Access to COVID-19 Testing Supplies webpage.

(Updated: 1/24/2023)

The HRSA COVID-19 Testing Supply Program is a partnership between HHS and the Department of Defense that enables all HRSA-funded health centers and Health Center Program look-alikes, as well as Medicare-certified rural health clinics, to order free, FDA-authorized COVID-19 at-home self-tests for distribution at no cost to their patients and communities. In addition, participants may also obtain point-of-care rapid antigen test cards through the program. For more information, visit the Expanding Access to COVID-19 Testing Supplies webpage.

(Updated: 11/2/2023)

Health centers should provide COVID-19 testing services to established patients and other individuals who present for such services and meet criteria for COVID-19 testing, regardless of ability to pay. Criteria for testing should be informed by CDC guidelines on testing for SARS-CoV-19, as well as by state, tribal, or local public health guidance.

If a health center does not have sufficient capacity to test beyond its established patient population (e.g., limited Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), testing supplies, or staff capacity), then the center should make efforts to refer patients to other appropriate providers.

For PPE and testing supply needs, health centers should communicate and coordinate with state, tribal, and local health departments and Primary Care Associations in their state, in addition to reporting these needs in the HRSA Health Center COVID-19 Survey.

(Added: 7/7/2020)

Patients can contact their local health center to find out about availability of COVID-19 vaccine appointments. To find your local health center, please use HRSA's Find a Health Center tool.

In addition, patients can use Vaccines.gov to locate any provider offering the COVID-19 vaccine. More information about the COVID-19 vaccine is available from the CDC.

(Updated: 1/3/2023)

The reporting requirements for COVID-19 vaccines are the same for those authorized under emergency use or fully approved. Health care providers who administer COVID-19 vaccines are required by law to report the following to VAERS:

• Vaccine administration errors, whether or not associated with an adverse event.
• Serious adverse events, regardless of whether the reporter thinks the vaccine caused the adverse event. FDA defines serious adverse events as:
  • Death;
  • A life-threatening event;
  • Inpatient hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization;
  • A persistent or significant incapacity or substantial disruption of the ability to conduct normal life functions;
  • A congenital anomaly/birth defect; or
  • An important medical event that based on appropriate medical judgment may jeopardize the individual and may require medical or surgical intervention to prevent one of the outcomes listed above.
• Cases of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome.
• Cases of COVID-19 that result in hospitalization or death.

The following resources contain additional information:

• Guidance on reporting adverse events to VAERS
• Vaccine administration errors and deviations

(Added: 3/30/2022)

Health centers that have been deemed as federal employees through the Health Center FTCA Program are eligible for liability protection for grant-supported activities by “covered providers” and deemed volunteer health professionals. Deemed health centers that receive a claim or a legal summons and complaint involving the administration of a vaccination should promptly provide such documentation to the HHS OGC General Law Division, as described in the FTCA Health Center Policy Manual (PDF - 406 KB), Section II. Claims and Lawsuits.

Pursuant to the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act, the Secretary of HHS has also issued a declaration (and amendments) concerning medical countermeasures against COVID-19, which declared that COVID-19 vaccines are also covered countermeasures for the purposes of liability protection under the PREP Act. If all requirements set forth in the Secretary’s declaration are met, a covered person is immune from liability except for “willful misconduct” with respect to all claims for loss caused by, arising out of, relating to, or resulting from the manufacture, testing, development, distribution, administration, and use of a COVID-19 vaccine.

An individual who sustains a covered serious physical injury or death as a direct result of the administration or use of a covered countermeasure (or estates and survivors of such individual) may be eligible for certain benefits under the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP), which is administered by HRSA. Information about the CICP and filing a claim are available toll-free at 1-855-266-2427, or at the CICP website.

(Added: 1/5/2021)

Yes. Health centers may participate in community vaccination campaigns conducted in coordination with state, territorial, or local responses to COVID-19, within their scope of project, if the health center is performing these activities on behalf of the health center.

Health center providers would demonstrate that they are acting on behalf of the health center when they provide in-scope services if they clearly identify themselves as health center staff, the health center compensates the work of health center providers, the health center maintains the vaccination records, and the health center bills for any administration fee associated with vaccination. Health centers should maintain documentation that identifies the date, place, and circumstances during which they provide such services.

Providing vaccinations on behalf of a third-party entity, for example as an independent contractor of a third-party entity, would constitute another line of business, and would not be an in-scope activity. For more information on assessing whether services or activities are performed on behalf of the health center, review the Health Center Program Compliance FAQs.  

Health centers without “Immunizations” listed as an activity on Form 5C: Other Activities/Locations (PDF - 103 KB) should, in advance of participating, submit a brief Scope Adjustment request via EHBs to add this activity to their scope of project. When completing the Form 5C Scope Adjustment request, select “Immunizations” as the “Activity”; under “Frequency” state “as needed”; and under “Activity Location” state “various locations within the community as appropriate to respond to vaccination needs.” Once approved by HRSA, this activity will be documented as in-scope on the health center’s Form 5C.

For information about liability protections relating to health center providers providing COVID-19 vaccines, please see the preceding question “What liability protections apply to health center providers when an individual who receives a vaccine has an adverse reaction?” on this FAQ webpage.

(Updated: 11/9/2023)

Yes. The Health Center Program views providing COVID-19 vaccinations as an element of in-scope general primary care and immunization services, as reflected on Form 5A: Services Provided. Health centers may administer COVID-19 vaccinations within their scope of project to health center patients and to individuals who are not health center patients both at the health center and at locations within the community that are not a health center’s service sites, as documented on Form 5B or 5C as appropriate. These activities could include community-based events that are either conducted by the health center or in which the health center participates that take place on the grounds of or within locations such as community centers, faith-based organizations, senior centers, nursing homes, and skilled nursing facilities.

Health centers should review the Health Center Program Compliance FAQs for factors that are relevant to whether an activity is considered within scope of project. Health centers also may review HRSA’s Determination of Coverage for COVID-19-Related Activities by Health Center Providers under 42 U.S.C. § 233(g)(1)(B) and (C) (PDF - 34 KB), which clarifies eligibility for FTCA coverage for health center providers deemed as Public Health Service (PHS) employees through the Health Center FTCA Program and the Health Center VHP FTCA Program who provide grant-supported COVID-19 health services, including vaccine administration, to their patients and to individuals who are not patients of the health center. Note: Following the end of the public health emergency originally declared on January 31, 2020, HRSA has determined that the particularized determination for health center providers shall sunset and expire on December 31, 2024. Health centers should consult the FTCA Health Center Policy Manual, (PDF - 406 KB) sections C.4 and C.5, for more information on covered services to non-patients.

As with all in-scope services, health centers should maintain appropriate health records and, where applicable, billing records for immunizations they provide, consistent with applicable standards of practice. Health centers that partner with other organizations conducting community-based immunization programs should maintain their own records to the extent practicable, and if unable to do so, should make arrangements with those organizations, as necessary, to obtain timely documentation of all individual immunizations administered by health center providers. Delivering health services on behalf of a third-party entity is generally another line of business outside the scope of the Health Center Program project.

Health centers are also reminded that the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act provides broad liability protection to administrators of COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters, who are authorized to administer vaccines under the PREP Act declaration covering COVID-19 tests, drugs, and vaccines. Please note that whether an activity is within the Health Center Program grant-supported scope of project does not affect the applicability of PREP Act protections.

Health centers may contact the state and/or local immunization program manager in their jurisdiction for more information about COVID-19 vaccines. A list of immunization program managers is available through the Association of Immunization Managers.

(Updated: 11/9/2023)

Sites recorded on Form 5B: Service Sites must be locations that meet the definition of a service site in PIN 2008-01: Defining Scope of Project and Policy for Requesting Changes (PDF - 224 KB). Specifically, these are locations where all of the following conditions are met:

• Health center encounters are generated by documenting in the patients’ records face-to-face contacts between patients and providers;
• Providers exercise independent judgment in the provision of services to the patient;
• Services are provided directly by or on behalf of the grantee, whose governing board retains control and authority over the provision of the services at the location; and
• Services are provided on a regularly scheduled basis (e.g., daily, weekly, first Thursday of every month). However, there is no minimum number of hours per week that services must be available at an individual site.

To determine whether locations where COVID-19 vaccination is being provided should be listed on Form 5B: Service Sites, a health center must determine if the location meets all site criteria above.

If a health center, on its own behalf, plans to provide vaccinations to individuals within the community at a location that is not an approved service site, such activity may be within the scope of project and documented on Form 5C: Other Activities/Locations. As described in PIN 2008-01 linked below, the criteria for activities to be included on Form 5C are those that (1) do not meet the definition of a service site, (2) are conducted on an irregular timeframe/schedule, and (3) offer a limited activity from within the full complement of health center activities included within the scope of project. However, providing vaccinations on behalf of a third-party entity constitutes another line of business, rather than an in-scope activity. Activities on behalf of third-party entities would not be reflected on Form 5C: Other Activities/Locations.

Review the Health Center Program Compliance FAQs for factors that are relevant to whether a site or activity is considered within scope of project.

View PIN 2008-01: Defining Scope of Project and Policy for Requesting Changes (PDF - 224 KB), Section III.B.(g), for information about recording activities on Form 5C: Other Activities/Locations.

(Updated: 11/9/2023)

If a health center does not have “Immunizations” listed as an activity on its Form 5C: Other Activities/Locations (PDF - 103 KB), it must submit a brief Scope Adjustment request via EHBs to add this activity to its scope of project. When completing the Form 5C Scope Adjustment, select “Immunizations” as the “Activity”; under “Frequency” state “as needed”; and under “Activity Location” state “various locations within the community as appropriate to respond to vaccination needs.” Once approved by HRSA, this activity will be documented as in-scope on the health center’s Form 5C.

(Added: 1/21/2021)

Health centers provide COVID-19 vaccinations to established patients and other individuals who present for such services (i.e., new patients) and meet criteria for vaccination, regardless of an individual’s ability to pay.

If a health center does not have sufficient capacity to vaccinate individuals beyond its established patient population (e.g., due to limited Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), supplies, or staff capacity), the health center should refer patients to other appropriate providers. For PPE and supply needs, health centers should communicate and coordinate with state, tribal, and local health departments and Primary Care Associations in their state, in addition to reporting these needs to HRSA through the HRSA Health Center COVID-19 Survey.

(Updated: 4/22/2021)

Your health center’s engagement in COVID-19 testing, treatment, and/or vaccine administration provides critical opportunities to connect people to essential health center services.

HRSA encourages you to engage with individuals who present for testing or vaccination to promote awareness of other health center services. This is an opportunity to support entry into care for those who lack a primary care medical home and/or to offer enrollment assistance with Medicaid, CHIP, and other affordable insurance options, including those available through the Marketplace special enrollment period.

(Added: 4/13/2021)

To ensure our nation's underserved communities and those disproportionately affected by COVID-19 were equitably vaccinated against COVID-19, HRSA and CDC launched the Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program in February 2021. This program directly allocated COVID-19 vaccines to HRSA-supported health centers. It was intended to supplement — not supplant — vaccine distributions that health centers were receiving from states or jurisdictions.

In the first phase of the program, 250 HRSA-funded health centers were invited to participate. In the second phase, beginning in March 2021, HRSA and CDC invited an additional 700 health centers to participate. In the third phase, beginning in April 2021, HRSA invited all remaining HRSA-funded health centers and Health Center Program look-alikes with the necessary capabilities to access vaccines through the program.

Participating health centers were required to complete the Health Center COVID-19 Survey and the addendum to the survey, as well as reporting vaccine supply and administration data to states/jurisdictions as required in the CDC COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Agreement.

The Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program ended in August 2023. Health centers ordered a cumulative total of nearly 15.3 million vaccine doses through the program.

(Added: 11/2/2023)

AAAHC is performing survey activities while following COVID-19 precautions. Prior to their survey, each health center should conduct an internal gap analysis to evaluate their readiness and implement an action plan to address any gaps. Please visit the AAAHC website or the TJC website for further updates and additional resources.

(Updated: 6/21/2022)

AAAHC, TJC, and NCQA are assessing each health center’s circumstances as surveys are scheduled. Health centers that are currently recognized and/or accredited are strongly encouraged to submit their Notice of Intent three to six months prior to their expiration date. Health centers should coordinate with their respective recognition/accreditation organizations to ensure they have the most accurate information regarding expiration dates, renewal requirements, and COVID-19 process updates. Information on submitting a Notice of Intent is available from HRSA.

For more information:

• Contact AAAHC via email.
• Contact TJC via email or call 630-792-5900.
• Contact NCQA online or call 888-275-7585.

(Updated: 6/21/2022)

PCAs can facilitate the sharing of important information with health centers through electronic alerts, can conduct outreach to increase awareness and participation in various regional/state pandemic or emergency event planning and response activities, and can learn from the health centers what issues they face and what assistance may be needed.

PCAs have established mechanisms to engage with health centers in collecting critical information during and after an emergency situation. In addition, PCAs can work to ensure that health centers are included in COVID-19 response plans by tapping into regional/state pandemic planning and response activities. Many PCAs play active roles in the state as coordinators, managers, and disseminators of real-time information during emergencies. For information on how to coordinate with officials in your state regarding the state’s emergency preparedness or pandemic plan, PCAs can help identify the appropriate state point of contact. For questions about Medicare emergency preparedness requirements, PCAs may also contact the applicable state survey agency for guidance or assistance.

To inform HRSA’s COVID-19 emergency response efforts, PCAs are expected to regularly communicate with and encourage health centers to complete the Health Center COVID-19 Survey. HRSA shares national and state-level COVID-19 survey data summary reports with each PCA to support targeted technical assistance to the health centers in each state.

(Updated: 6/21/2022)

HCCNs have established platforms to engage with health centers to collect critical information during and after emergency situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. HCCNs can:

• Facilitate important and timely information sharing with health centers through electronic alerts;
• Assist health centers considering how to expand their telehealth services;
• Conduct outreach with health centers in their networks to share challenges and lessons learned from the use of telemedicine and virtual care technologies amongst health centers; and
• Work to ensure that health centers are integrated in regional and state response plans by coordinating with Primary Care Associations (PCAs) on planning and response activities.

Additionally, HCCNs coordinate with the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the Health Information and Technology, Evaluation and Quality (HITEQ) Center, and HRSA’s Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) to provide training and technical assistance on hardware and/or software, provider education, workflows, patient education, billing and coding, cybersecurity, remote provider education, and policy interpretation.

(Updated: 6/21/2022)

HRSA is asking health centers and Health Center Program look-alikes to fill out a monthly survey to help track the number of patients who have undergone COVID-19 testing, the number of patients who have received COVID-19 vaccinations, along with other critical information about clinic operations during the pandemic. Expanding COVID-19 Vaccination (ECV) award recipients are required to complete the survey. Each health center and look-alike will receive an electronic survey on the first Friday of the month from BPHCanswers@hrsa.gov.

A COVID-19 Data Collection Survey Tool User Guide is available to assist you in completing the survey. If you have additional questions, please use the BPHC Contact Form or call 877-464-4772, option 2, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET, Monday-Friday (except federal holidays).

(Updated: 7/3/2023)

Please report on your experiences from the previous month. For more detailed instructions, see the COVID-19 Data Collection Survey Tool User Guide.

(Updated: 7/3/2023)

The survey is sent to the Project Director listed in EHBs, but that person can also forward their unique link to anyone in the organization who can report. If you need to add additional points of contact to the survey, please use the BPHC Contact Form or call 877-464-4772, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET, Monday-Friday (except federal holidays).

(Updated: 4/8/2020)

HRSA uses the information collected from the Health Center COVID-19 Survey to help track health center and look-alike capacity and the impact of COVID-19 on operations, patients, and staff. Survey results are also used to better understand training and technical assistance, funding, and other resource needs. HRSA shares this information with other agencies and partners.

ECV award recipients must respond to the Health Center COVID-19 Survey throughout the ECV period of performance for tracking and monitoring purposes.

(Updated: 1/17/2023)

The COVID-19 pandemic is a continually evolving situation. Therefore, how long HRSA will collect this information is yet to be determined. HRSA will continue to assess the situation and evaluate the information collected, and we will make adjustments as appropriate.

(Updated: 7/28/2020)