By: Johanna Heller
In the realm of healthcare initiatives, precision is paramount. It's not just about goals and aspirations; it’s about ensuring that the resources, particularly funding, are directed where they are most needed and will have the most significant impact. The Health Center Program funding operates on a simple premise—the scope of your project defines the breadth and depth of support it can provide. This includes everything from the sites and services offered to the providers, service areas, and the target population.
Why is this accuracy so important? Picture this: a project's success and its ability to meet the needs of the community hinge on how well its scope is defined. An inaccurate scope could mean inadequate resources allocated to essential services or an inability to reach the intended population effectively. It's not just a suggestion; it’s a requirement to keep the scope accurate.
There are two pivotal areas that warrant your attention:
Service Delivery - Examining Form 5A
FQHCs are required to provide your community with a base set of healthcare services but they have some flexibility in how these services are delivered. Form 5A is where you tell HRSA how you deliver the required services; service delivery methods are either direct, via contract where the health center pays, or via contract and the patient pays. Whatever the arrangement may be, patients must be able to access required service and if they live below 200% of the FPL, must be able to do so on a discount schedule.
If you have contracts in place to deliver care, you need to have Memorandums of Understanding or contracts in place to show during OSV. Additionally, during your Service Area Competition grant you will need to provide a narrative about how you deliver care of required services, aligning with Form 5A and any MOUs in place.
Services outlined on Form 5A also are the services FTCA covers if you have FTCA coverage. Accuracy in this form inherently reduces risk, as if you are providing a service not outlined on this form, you risk forgoing FTCA coverage and need to carry additional malpractice insurance.
Site Details - Scrutinizing Form 5B
Every address and operational hour detailed on Form 5B holds immense significance. This information isn’t just data; it's the lifeline connecting your services to those who need them. Ensuring accuracy helps ensure access to healthcare for your community.
Acknowledging the need for adjustments or changes? Fear not! Whether it’s a tweak or a substantial shift, the process of updating your project's scope is navigable. However complex it may seem, Community Link Consulting is here to guide you through this process. We understand the intricacies and challenges of managing these scopes. For a more comprehensive understanding or if any clarifications are needed, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at info@communitylinkconsulting.com.