There are lots of requirements to achieve and maintain Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) status. Once the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grants or renews the FQHC status of an organization, a one- or three-year period of performance is determined. The Operational Site Visit (OSV) occurs around the midpoint of the period of performance, which in NOAH’s case is 12 to 16 months into the three-year period of performance. The OSV is basically an audit to ensure all of NOAH’s operations are in compliance with HRSA regulations.
NOAH’s OSV is scheduled for January 23-25, 2024.
The OSV is structured by the chapters of the Health Center Program Compliance Manual which include topics in three categories: Fiscal, Clinical, and Governance/Admin.
Topics for Review
- Needs Assessment
- Required and Additional Health Services
- Clinical Staffing
- Accessible Locations and Hours of Operation
- Coverage for Medical Emergencies During and After Hours
- Continuity of Care and Hospital Admitting
- Sliding Fee Discount Program
- Quality Improvement/Assurance
- Key Management Staff
- Contracts and Subawards
- Conflict of Interest
- Collaborative Relationships
- Financial Management and Accounting Systems including Billing and Collections and Budget
- Program Monitoring and Data Reporting Systems
- Board Authority and Composition
- FTCA Deeming Requirements including Risk Management and Claims
Some of these topics can be reviewed through documents submitted to HRSA in advance or during the OSV while other topics will need to be evaluated during a tour of our sites. We anticipate Cholla and Desert Mission Health Centers will be selected for tours during this period’s OSV.
These periodic audits help ensure all our procedures are on point and give us the opportunity to correct any workflows that may have inadvertently gotten off track. Over the past few months, NOAH leadership has been working among all departments to verify everything is in tip-top shape and will continue to work with the Cholla and Desert Mission Health Center teams to prepare for this important visit. If you have specific questions about topics being audited in your department and how you can ensure compliance every day, reach out to your supervisor.
