On Tuesday, August 23, 2016, the Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC) released the highly anticipated DRAFT Health Center Program Compliance Manual and is requesting public comments online through 11:59 pm on November 22, 2016.

The draft Health Center Program Compliance Manual (“Compliance Manual”) provides health centers with a consolidated resource in understanding and demonstrating compliance with the Health Center Program Requirements and the FTCA program.  In addition, the Compliance Manual supersedes other Health Center Program policy issuances including PIN 2014-01: Health Center Program Governance and PIN 2014-02: Sliding Fee Discount and Related Billing and Collections Program Requirements.  Once final, the Compliance Manual will be the definitive guidance for eligibility and compliance-related determinations and review processes for the Health Center program.

Please note: the Compliance Manual is still in draft form and Operational Site Visit reviewers have been explicitly reminded to utilize only current guidance during upcoming OSVs. However, if you have an OSV scheduled, it is recommended that you thoroughly read the draft Compliance Manual.

If you have additional questions on the Compliance Manual, please contact our Health Care practice group at Feldesman Tucker Leifer Fidell LLP, www.FTLF.com or 202-466-8960.  In addition, click here for more information on our upcoming Program Requirements training that will address the new Compliance Manual.