This course is closed to new enrollments.

PART I (PRE-RECORDED BACKGROUND WEBINARS)

Part I of the De-Mystifying the Compliance Manual webinar series consists of two (2) pre-recorded background webinars, which provide background and set the context for health center program compliance overall. Together, these pre-recorded webinars will provide the tools necessary to understand the live webinars and will start the health center on its journey towards compliance. 

Please note: these topics will not be covered in Parts II-VI.

An Introduction to Health Center Compliance (60 minutes): The first background webinar focuses on the current state of health center compliance, including a general introduction to programmatic compliance and the current HRSA assessment processes and related tools – the Compliance Manual and the Site Visit Protocol. Listeners will learn the most recent HRSA developments regarding project compliance.

 

The Health Center's Scope of Project (60 minutes): The second background webinar focuses on the framework for each health center’s programmatic compliance – the Scope of Project – which establishes the sites, services, providers, service area and patient population subject to the HRSA requirements.  Listeners will receive a “walk-through” of the Scope of Project forms, which document those elements, as well as how the concept of Scope interacts with the specific program requirements.

SERIES DESCRIPTION

In the past few years, HRSA has transitioned its compliance efforts from requiring FQHCS to utilize multiple guidance documents to ensure adherence to health center program requirements to issuing the Health Center Program Compliance Manual (the Manual), a consolidated resource to assist FQHCs in understanding, demonstrating, and operationalizing compliance. The Manual, which supersedes most (but not all) prior guidance, incorporates a new approach to everyday compliance.

To assist in conducting a “hands-on” compliance evaluation, HRSA issued a Site Visit Protocol (the SVP), which aligns with the Manual and reflects a more objective assessment tool than prior review guides. The current SVP (issued in April 2019), includes additional clarification on documentation requirements and assessment methodologies.

Together, the Manual and the SVP are the main tools used by HRSA for both on-site reviews of grantees and FQHC look-alike entities (Operational Site Visits - OSVs) and “desk audits” of project and designation renewal applications, by addressing:

• Each requirement’s statutory and regulatory basis
• Key elements of compliance that form the framework of every health center’s project
• Documentation necessary to verify compliance (both on paper and in practice)
• Areas where health centers maintain discretion

There is an expectation of 100% ongoing compliance with the Health Center Program Requirements. Is your health center prepared to meet this challenge? Given the possible consequences of non-compliance, including 1-year project periods for non-compliance with a single element and potential loss of 330-grant funds, it is critical that every health center be and remain vigilant, whether you are expecting an OSV, submitting a grant or look-alike designation application, or looking to bolster current operations and establish your HRSA compliance workplan as part of ongoing compliance efforts.