Recent Updates 

FTCA
Check with your project officer to see if this language will suffice for a broad scope change during a pandemic Proposed form 5C language

HRSA has also added a FAQ about Change in Scope. The question is copied below, click here to go to the HRSA FAQ page.

NEW If a health center will be administering COVID-19 vaccinations at locations within its community but outside of a health center site documented on Form 5B: Service Sites, must the health center submit a change in scope request to add “Immunizations” to its Form 5C: Other Activities/Locations?

VHP Applications

Deemed health centers must submit a VHP deeming sponsorship application for the FTCA Volunteer Health Professionals (VHP) Program. Health Center Volunteers are not eligible for Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) coverage automatically. For each individual volunteer to be eligible for coverage, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) must approve an application that demonstrates that the individual meets all of the FTCA VHP Program requirements. If approved, VHPs would be eligible for liability protections for the performance of medical, surgical, dental, and related functions that are within the health centers scope of project. Furthermore, the volunteer must be a health care professional who is licensed, registered or certified to provide clinical services. Unlicensed, uncertified, and unregistered volunteer health professionals are not eligible for the FTCA VHP Program.

For information regarding the FTCA VHP Program please see Program Assistance Letter (PAL) 2020-03: Calendar Year 2021 Volunteer Health Professional Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) Deeming Sponsorship Application Instructions. Applicable conditions and requirements for deeming are described with PAL 2020-03. Additional information regarding volunteer health professionals including the FTCA VHP brochure and VHP Video can also be found on the Volunteer Health Professionals Page. Health centers can complete a VHP deeming sponsorship application by accessing the Electronic Handbooks (EHBs) by going to the FTCA application section. Once a complete and accurate VHP application is submitted to HRSA, our goal is to process and issue a Notice of Deeming Action (NDA) within 10 business days or less. The FTCA Program have dedicated extra resources to ensure that we exceed this goal as we anticipate an increase in VHP applications in the upcoming months.

Questions should be directed to Health Center Program Support team:

By phone: 877-464-4772, option 1; or Online: http://www.hrsa.gov/about/contact/bphc.aspx.

COVID Vaccine dashboard- Number of vaccines administered and breakdown of demographics (12.31.20)

https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/dashboard/vaccinations

Resources for mass vaccination events, including drive thru options (will be located in resources below also) (1/21/21)

Clinical (Safety, Clinical Trials Data, Side Effects, Fact Sheets)

Pfizer Vaccine Information (12.31.20)

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/Pfizer-BioNTech.html

Pfizer Vaccine Fact Sheet (12.31.20)

https://www.fda.gov/media/144414/download

Moderna Vaccine Information (12.31.20)

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/Moderna.html

Moderna Vaccine Fact Sheet (12.31.20)

https://www.fda.gov/media/144638/download

Billing-

As of January 2021, FQHCs are reimbursed based on the Medicaid fee schedule for COVID-19 vaccine administration, whereas Medicare will pay FQHCs at 100% of reasonable cost through the annual cost report (the same way FQHCs are paid for influenza and pneumococcal vaccines).

• Medicaid: See NC Medicaid Special Bulletin Covid-19 #152 for guidance on billing, coding, and reimbursement rates for both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.
• Medicare and Medicare Advantage: See the CMS FQHC Center, including section “COVID-19 Vaccines in RHCs and FQHCs,” for more information.
  • UPDATE (March 2021): The CMS FQHC Center notes that “RHCs and FQHCs should include COVID-19 vaccines and their administration costs for patients enrolled in Medicare Advantage on the cost report as well.”
• Uninsured: FQHCs may be reimbursed at fee schedule rates for vaccine administration to uninsured patients by billing the federal HRSA COVID-19 Claims Reimbursement to Health Care Providers and Facilities for Testing, Treatment, and Vaccine Administration for the Uninsured. See this portion of the portal website for eligible Billing Codes.

Archived updates

Recording from Feb 26 Task Force Call (with CVMS registration demo) can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/LY0uRO5RW0E

Recording from Jan 8 Task Force Call (1/12/21)

• • https://ncchca.zoom.us/rec/share/v1BbfIrf6IPhib1lRrr30YkPPVg-gizIbg9gaQ1MQjv68PgNsM_zY9K1lVcnLyOA.pyHu7OUvaxcEqVLk
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