Community and Health Center Development
A Guide to Understanding Florida's FQHCs and 330 Expansion Opportunities (pdf)
FACHC's community development efforts, carried out in partnership with the Florida Department of Health, center around increasing access to healthcare through the creation of new FQHCs and the expansion of existing ones in areas of the state with the highest need, as well as sharing FQHC best practices with other safety net organizations seeking to increase access to high quality, comprehensive healthcare. We accomplish this through the provision of tailored training and technical assistance and the provision of relevant information and resources such as those found on this web site.
What is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC)?
FQHC is a federal designation from the Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC)and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that is assigned to private non-profit or public health care organizations that serve predominantly uninsured or Medically Underserved Areas or Populations (MUA or MUP). All FQHCs must operate under a consumer Board of Directors and provide Comprehensive Primary Health Care, oral and mental healthcare and substance abuse services to persons in all stages of the life cycle. FQHCs provide their services to all persons regardless of ability to pay, and charge for services on a Board approved sliding-fee scale that is based on patients' family income and size. FQHCs must comply with Section 330 Program Expectations/Requirements and all applicable federal and state regulations. FQHCs are also called Community Health Centers, and 330 Funded Clinics. Some Community Health Centers are Migrant Health Centers, Homeless Health Centers, School Based Health Centers or Public Housing Health Centers. There are a number of Benefits of being designated as an FQHC.
What is an FQHC “Look Alike”?
FQHC "Look Alikes" must meet all the same requirements as FQHCs but "Look Alikes" do not receive 330 funding and are not covered under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). Look Alikes do, however, benefit from enhanced reimbursement under the Prospective Payment System (PPS), participation in the federal 340B drug program and other programs that require FQHC designation for participation. Unlike FQHCs, which must go through a competitive (annual or bi-annual) application process, a Look Alike application can be submitted at any time. There are no specific deadlines. Click here to learn more about FQHC "Look Alikes" .
Relevant Documents
- Health Centers Consolidation Act of 1996 Authorizes funding for federally qualified community health centers (FQHCs)
- Policy Information Notice (PIN) 98-23 “330 Program Requirements and Expectations”
- Policy Information Notice (PIN) 98-12 Implementation of the Section 330 Governance Requirements Describes governance requirements for FQHC Governing Board.
- Policy Information Notice (PIN) 2003-21 “Federally Qualified Health Centers Look Alike Guidelines and Application”
- Policy Information Notice (PIN) 97-27 Affiliation Agreements of Community and Migrant Health Centers Provides policy clarification on community health center affiliations with other entities
- Policy Information Notice (PIN) 98-24 Amendment Regarding Affiliation Agreements of Community and Migrant Health Centers Provides further policy clarification on community health center affiliations with other entities
- Policy Information Notice (PIN) 99-09 “Implementation of the Balance Budget Act Amendment of the Definition of Federally Qualified Health Center Look Alike Entities for Public Entities”
- HRSA Governing Board Handbook A manual outlining governance requirements for FQHCs
- Florida Department of Health Community Development Resources