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FTCA Application Process

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Health Center Application

The 2023 application process and guidance for submitting deeming applications for Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) medical malpractice coverage is detailed within Program Assistance Letter (PAL) 2022-01 (PDF - 599 KB).

Initial Applications

Health centers may submit an initial deeming application via the electronic, web-based EHB system at any time during the year when the system is open to accept applications. However, we strongly suggest that grantees request initial FTCA coverage well in advance of their desired coverage start date.

After reviewing the FTCA PAL, grantees submitting an initial deeming application should consult with the FTCA Program if they have any additional questions.

Redeeming Applications

All currently deemed grantees must submit a FTCA redeeming application and submit redeeming applications for any sub-recipients (as applicable) on or before July 8, 2022 in order to be eligible to be deemed for the entirety of CY 2023 without a gap in coverage.

Grantees are responsible for ensuring that the information needed to complete their redeeming application has been successfully submitted to HRSA through the EHB. If additional information or clarification is needed to support an application, HRSA may notify the grantee through the EHB. The grantee will be given 10 business days from the date of such EHB notification to resubmit the application with the requested information. It is important that grantees provide a timely response to all requests for information in order to assure a timely review and notification. Grantees that do not provide a responsive submission within 10 business days after receiving notice may have their application determined incomplete and voided. If the application is voided, the grantee will receive notification and will be required to resubmit its redeeming application if it wishes to obtain deemed status.

FTCA Application Tool Kit

HRSA periodically will update this section to include presentations and resources that will focus on the application preparation, submission, and deeming process.

Technical Assistance

Risk Management

*Note: A post webinar survey must be completed before a Certificate of Completion will be issued. All post webinar surveys must be completed by 09/30/2022. The surveys will be closed on October 1, 2022. After the surveys are closed, they will not be reopened, and Certificates of Completion will not be issued.     

Send an email to hrsaftcadeeming@kepro.com and request a post webinar survey (include “survey” and “Certificate of Completion” in the subject line of the email). An email with a link to the post webinar survey will be sent to you. After the post webinar survey is submitted, a Certificate of Completion will be sent from svc_powerplatform@kepro.com. 

Contact hrsaftcadeeming@kepro.com if you have questions or experience any technical difficulties with the post webinar survey.
 

Credentialing and Privileging

FTCA Deemed Status Badge

BPHC has adopted a Federally Supported Health Centers Assistance Act (FSHCAA) Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) Deemed Status Badge. The badge recognizes health centers that HRSA has deemed as Public Health Service employees under the Federally Supported Health Centers Assistance Act (FSHCAA). To reference usage guidelines, view the FSHCAA FTCA Deemed Status Badge page.
 

Health Center Volunteer Health Professionals (VHP) Application

Health Center VHP Deeming Applications

Statutory authority for the Health Center Volunteer Health Professionals (VHP) Program is currently due to sunset on October 1, 2022, pursuant to Section 224(q)(6) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. § 233(q)(6)), which states: “Beginning on October 1, 2022, this subsection shall cease to have any force or effect.”  Previously issued VHP Notices of Deeming Action (NDA) are being amended to expressly reflect this statutory sunset date. Future VHP NDAs for calendar year 2022 also will reflect the last date of coverage, which is September 30, 2022.  HRSA stopped accepting VHP deeming applications May 13, 2022.

VHP Application Toolkit

Free Clinics Application

Initial Deeming Application

Free clinics that apply for the first time to the FTCA Free Clinic Program will be required to have an Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number and be registered within the System for Award Management (SAM), in order to create an account and submit an initial application via the Electronic Handbook (EHB). For more information about the new initial application process, please see the current PAL (PDF - 365 KB).

Renewal Deeming Application

Free clinics that currently sponsor deemed individuals must reapply on an annual basis for continued FTCA coverage. The annual redeeming application form should be submitted using HRSA’s web based Electronic Handbook (EHB) system. For more information, see the current PAL (PDF - 365 KB).

Supplemental Deeming Application

During the course of the year, sponsoring free clinics may wish to add additional eligible individuals for deemed status. In order to supplement the free clinic’s list of covered individuals, a supplemental application must be completed and submitted. The supplemental application must be submitted using HRSA’s web based Electronic Handbook (EHB) system.

General Application Submission Instructions

As a part of continued efforts to streamline and automate data reporting processes, the Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC) has developed a Free Clinic FTCA deeming module within the HRSA EHB. View the EHB web based application.
 
All Initial, Redeeming, and Supplemental applications require an attachment explaining any and all disciplinary actions and medical malpractice claims alleged against the eligible individuals the free clinic is sponsoring for deeming. This information is required for the past ten (10) years for new applicants and five (5) years for renewal applicants. Please do not attach a report from the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB). These reports do not describe the actions taken by the sponsoring free clinic or the applicant in response to the claims.

Free Clinic Application Toolkit

For assistance, please use the BPHC Contact Form or call 877-464-4772, Option 1. 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET, Monday - Friday (except federal holidays).

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