Self-Assess scope accuracy for services provided
View Health Center Self-Assessment Worksheet for Form 5A: Services Provided (PDF - 1.11 MB)
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) site visits support the effective oversight of the Health Center Program. Operational Site Visits (OSVs) provide an objective assessment and verification of the status of each Health Center Program awardee's or look-alike’s compliance with the statutory and regulatory requirements of the Health Center Program. In addition, HRSA conducts site visits to assess and verify look-alike initial designation applicants for compliance with Health Center Program requirements to inform initial designation determinations.
The Health Center Program Site Visit Protocol (SVP) is the tool for assessing compliance with Health Center Program requirements during operational site visits (OSVs) and look-alike initial designation site visits. The SVP is designed to provide HRSA the information necessary to perform its oversight responsibilities using a standard and transparent methodology that aligns with the Health Center Program Compliance Manual (Compliance Manual).
Download the entire SVP (PDF - 6.17 MB) or download specific SVP sections:
- Introduction (PDF - 829 KB)
- Needs Assessment (PDF - 293 KB)
- Required and Additional Health Services (PDF - 1.4 MB)
- Clinical Staffing (PDF - 1.4 MB)
- Accessible Locations and Hours of Operation (PDF - 271 KB)
- Coverage for Medical Emergencies During and After Hours (PDF - 821 KB)
- Continuity of Care and Hospital Admitting (PDF - 610 KB)
- Sliding Fee Discount Program (PDF - 502 KB)
- Quality Improvement/Assurance (PDF - 977 KB)
- Key Management Staff (PDF - 607 KB)
- Contracts and Subawards (PDF - 1.4 MB)
- Conflict of Interest (PDF - 1.3 MB)
- Collaborative Relationships (PDF - 636 KB)
- Financial Management and Accounting Systems (PDF - 684 KB)
- Billing and Collections (PDF - 754 KB)
- Budget (PDF - 675 KB)
- Program Monitoring and Data Reporting Systems (PDF - 479 KB)
- Board Authority (PDF - 895 KB)
- Board Composition (PDF - 824 KB)
- Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) Deeming Requirements (PDF - 784 KB)
- Performance Analysis (PDF - 582 KB)
- Promising Practices (PDF - 629 KB)
- Eligibility Requirements for Look-Alike Initial Designation Applicants (PDF - 607 KB)
Site Visit Resources
SVP Tools
The following tools are available to assist health centers in preparing for their site visit:
- Health Center Self-Assessment Worksheet for Form 5A: Services Provided (PDF - 1.1 MB)
- Credentialing and Privileging File Review Resource (PDF - 293 KB)
- HRSA OSV Support Documents (PDF - 233 KB)
- Consolidated Documents Checklist by Topic Area (PDF - 328 KB)
- Consolidated Documents Checklist by Program Requirements (PDF - 235 KB)
- Operational Site Visit (OSV) Exit Conference Tracking Resource (PDF - 715 KB)
- The Operational Site Visit (OSV): Answers to commonly asked questions
(Video) - Onsite Interviews and Interactions (PDF - 662 KB)
- Sampling Review Resource Guide
- Additional resources will be added as they become available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions on the Site Visit Protocol? View Frequently Asked Questions.
Health Center Program Compliance Manual
The Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC) is responsible for effective and efficient oversight of the Health Center Program. This includes ensuring that health centers comply with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements for the Health Center Program. The Compliance Manual is the principal resource to assist health centers in understanding and demonstrating compliance with Health Center Program requirements. View the Health Center Program Compliance Manual.
Progressive Action Conditions Library
When HRSA determines that a health center is not demonstrating compliance with one or more of the Health Center Program requirements, a condition(s) is placed on its Notice of Award/Look-alike Designation. The uses a library of standard conditions that follows its Progressive Action policy and process, which fully aligns with the Compliance Manual. View the Progressive Action Conditions Library.
2019 SVP: Summary of Updates
The 2019 SVP updates have been made to better ensure that the SVP reflects current oversight processes and timelines, provides on-site reviewers and HRSA with all the documentation necessary to adequately assess compliance, and provides additional clarity within several questions and process descriptions. View a summary of the 2019 SVP updates (PDF - 5.9 MB).
Archived Site Visit Protocol
Need to access an archive copy of the Site Visit Protocol that was effective April 2019 to February 2020? Submit a request through Health Center Program Support , and select Issue Type: “Compliance Manual.”
Pursuant to Executive Order 13891, the information in this website does not bind the public, except as authorized by law or as incorporated into a contract.
