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Popovits & Robinson
A Local Health Department and Federally Qualified Health Center: The Public Entity
Ninth Annual Rural Public Health InstituteMarch 5-7, 2013
Gerald “Jud” E. DeLossPopovits & [email protected]
(708) 479-3230
1
Legal Issues Confronting the FQHC andPublic Health Department
Popovits & Robinson 2
Federal Tort Claims Act
o Under the Public Health Service Act, employees of eligible FQHCs may be deemed to be federal employees qualified for protection under the FTCA
o There is no cost to participating FQHCs or their providers, and they are not liable for any settlements or judgments
o The FQHC, their employees, and eligible contractors are considered federal employees immune from suit for medical malpractice claims while acting within the scope of their employment
Popovits & Robinson 3
Popovits & Robinson
Federal Tort Claims Act
4
oDeemed FQHC grantees are immune from medical malpractice lawsuits resulting from:o Medicalo Surgicalo Dentalo Related functionso Within the approved scope of project
Popovits & Robinson
Federal Tort Claims Act
5
o Eligible FQHCs must submit an original deeming and annual renewal deeming applications
o A patient who alleges acts of medical malpractice by a deemed FQHC cannot sue the center or the provider directly, but must file the claim against the US Government
o These claims are reviewed and/or litigated by HHS Office of the General Counsel and DOJ
Popovits & Robinson
FTCA - Eligibility
6
o FTCA Grantees eligible to be deemed are:o Community Health Centers (CHC)o Migrant Health Centers (MHC)o Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) Health Centerso Public Housing Primary Care (PHPC) Health Centerso Subrecipients eligible for FTCA coverage
Popovits & Robinson
FTCA - Subrecipient
7
o What is a subrecipient?o Defined as an entity (not an individual contractor) that receives
a grant or a contract from a deemed FQHCo Provides the full range of health services on behalf of the
deemed FQHCo Only for those services under the scope of the project
o Contractual relationships with other entities for individual services (e.g., laboratory, pharmacy, physician services) are not subject to FTCA coverage
Popovits & Robinson
FTCA - Coverage
8
o FTCA is only available for:o FQHCo Full or part-time FQHC employeeso Individually contracted providers who furnish services in the
fields of:o General internal medicineo Family practiceo General pediatricso OB/GYN
o Individually contracted providers who furnish services in other fields of practices on full-time basis
o A contract between a FQHC and a provider's corporation does not confer FTCA coverage on the provider
Popovits & Robinson
FTCA - Coverage
9
o Coverage/Protection for Covered individualso FTCA similar to occurrence insurance policyo Do not need to purchase tail coverage
o Non-Covered Individualso Individuals who do not meet the statutory requirements for
covered individualso Examples include:
o Volunteer physicianso Part-time (less than 32.5 hours) contract dentists
o The FQHC remains covered, while the individual is not
Popovits & Robinson
FTCA – Specific Situations
10
o Indemnification of Other Entitieso FTCA coverage does not extend to
indemnification or hold harmless of other entities
oGoverning Board Members and Officerso The governing board members and officers are
covered under the FTCA only for medical malpractice
Popovits & Robinson
FTCA - Coverage
11
o Covered Activitieso FTCA coverage is restricted to scope of employmento For actions to be within the scope of employment, they must
occur during the provision of services to the FQHC’s patients and, in certain circumstances, to non-FQHC patients
o The FQHC is responsible to maintain current records
Popovits & Robinson
FTCA - Coverage
12
o Scope of Employmento Includes performance under a contracto All covered individuals should have current, written job
descriptionso FTCA matters may come to litigation, so job descriptions play
a key role in demonstrating scope of employment and FTCA coverage
o Moonlighting is not within the scope of project
Popovits & Robinson
FTCA - Coverage
13
o Scope of Projecto FTCA coverage is limited to the performance of medical,
surgical, dental, or related functionso New services and sites are dependent on approval of a
change in the scope of the project
o A request for a change in scope should be submitted to HRSA/BPHC for approval
Popovits & Robinson
FTCA - Coverage
14
o Services to FQHC Patientso A patient-provider relationship must be established
o For purposes of FTCA coverage, the patient-provider relationship is established when:o Individuals access care for initial or follow-up visits at
approved siteso Individuals access care at approved sites even if not
permanent residentso Triage services are provided by telephone or in person, even if
patient is not yet registered but is intended to be registered
Popovits & Robinson
FTCA – Coverage
15
o FTCA coverage for services to non-FQHC patients is available in certain situations
o Examples of Covered Services to Non-FQHC Patients:o Community-Wide Intervention School-Based Clinicso School-Linked Clinicso Health Fairs
Popovits & Robinson
FTCA – Particularized Determination
16
o Other examples of Covered Services to Non-FQHC Patients:o Immunization Campaignso Migrant Camp Outreacho Homeless Outreacho Hospital-Related Activitieso Coverage-Related Activities
Popovits & Robinson
FTCA – Particularized Determination
17
o Acts and omissions related to services for non-FQHC patients may be covered if approved particularized determination of FTCA coverage
o The application for a particularized determination must provide:o Services to non-FQHC patients will benefit FQHC patients and
general populationso Services to non-FQHC patients facilitates the provision of
services to FQHC patientso Such services are otherwise contractually-required
o Request for a particularized determination of FTCA coverage must include sufficient detail
Popovits & Robinson
FTCA - Coverage
18
o Continuity of careo Covered individual may follow FQHC patient to non-FQHC site
to maintain continuity of care
o Supervision of non-FQHC staffo Supervision of Students and Medical Residentso Activities under other grant fundingo Clinical researcho Assisting with community events
Popovits & Robinson
FTCA – Coverage Under Alternate Billing
19
o FQHC providers may bill directly for services provided to FQHC facility patients
o If employee or contract provider, meeting all other FTCA requirements bills for a service delivered at a location not within its scope of project, FTCA coverage will apply to the provider
Popovits & Robinson
FTCA – Coverage in Emergencies
20
o Emergency situationso FTCA coverage will apply to the performance of
medical, surgical, dental, or related functions at temporary locations
o If covered individuals volunteer in their individual capacity to respond to an emergency, they will not be protected under FTCA
o Patients served by covered individuals at temporary locations are considered the FQHC’s patients
Popovits & Robinson
FTCA – Coverage in Emergencies
21
o In rare cases emergency may impact an entire region or State
o If site of FQHC in the impacted area is destroyed or unable to operate, FQHC may submit a request for prior approval to temporarily change its scope of project
o If covered individuals volunteer in their individual capacity to respond to an emergency they will not be protected under FTCA
Popovits & Robinson
FTCA – Coverage in Emergencies
22
o In emergency situations, FQHCs that are not directly impacted by the emergency may:o Assist at temporary sites within the FQHC’s own service
area and within neighboring counties, parishes, or political subdivisions
o Operate temporary sites within the service area and within neighboring counties, parishes, or political subdivisions by including the temporary locations within the scope of project
Popovits & Robinson
FTCA – Public Health Department
23
oFTCA coverage is available only to the FQHC and individuals identified above
oCannot be extended to the Health Department or its employeeso Unless they are individually contracted to
the FQHCo Satisfy the above-mentioned criteria for
individual coverage
Popovits & Robinson
FTCA – Acceptance by Hospitals andManaged Care Plans
24
o Covered individual cannot be denied hospital privileges solely because malpractice protection is FTCA
o Managed care plans, including HMOs and similar entities, must accept FTCA coverage as meeting malpractice insurance coverage requirements
o Hospitals or managed care plans that fail to comply in jeopardy of losing ability to collect payment under Medicare and Medicaid
Popovits & Robinson
FTCA - Insurance
25
o FQHC has option to meet malpractice liability through FTCA or private insuranceo FQHCs not applied for, or have terminated FTCA, may use Federal grant funds
for private malpractice insuranceo Dual coverage (i.e., both FTCA and private malpractice insurance covering the
same activities) is not permittedo US Government may subrogate claims where FQHC has private coverage and
payment is made under FTCAo Gap Coverage non-covered activities or non-covered individualso Even with FTCA coverage, FQHCs will continue to need other types of insurance:
o Non-medical/dental professional liability coverageo General liability coverageo D & O coverageo Automobile and collisiono Fire and theft coverage
o FQHC applying for initial FTCA deeming, should have private malpractice insurance in place until deemed
Popovits & Robinson
FTCA – Legal Claim Procedure
26
Popovits & Robinson
FTCA – Legal Claim Procedure
27
o Statute of Limitationso Claim must be presented within two years after the
claim accrueso Generally, accrual occurs on the date of the injuryo However, also incorporates a discovery ruleo State statute of limitations periods do not apply to
claims filed under the FTCA.
Popovits & Robinson
FTCA - Deeming
28
o To be deemed, a grantee or subrecipient must complete an application that demonstrates that it:o Risk management policies and procedureso Credentialing and privileging systemo Has no history of claims or, if such a history exists, has fully
cooperated with DOJo Cooperate to provide information related to a claim
Popovits & Robinson
FTCA – Deeming Process Tips
29
o Deeming applicants must:o Submit FTCA application materials in a timely mannero Respond in a timely manner to all requests from HRSAo Demonstrate implementation of the required policieso Accurately present all material facts
o HRSA’s goal to support all FQHCs in successfully demonstrating compliance with and implementation of these requirements
Popovits & Robinson
FTCA – Deeming Process Tips
30
o Due to the number of applications, application requirements, and potential for incomplete application submissions, grantees should request FTCA coverage at least 90 days in advance
o HRSA will conduct its review within 30 dayso If additional information or clarification is needed, HRSA
will notify the grantee through the EHB, and the grantee will be given 10 business days to provide the requested information
o Should the requested information not be submitted within 10 business days of notification, the applicant will be required to submit a new application
Popovits & Robinson
FTCA – Additional Requirements
31
o Health Center policies and procedures for the following must be included:o Referral trackingo Hospitalization trackingo Diagnostic tracking
o Statement verifying that any professional liability claims were internally analyzed
o Statement should include the following for each claim filed within the last five years:o Name of provider(s) involvedo Area of practice/Specialtyo Date of occurrenceo Summary of allegationso Status and outcome of claim
Popovits & Robinson
FTCA – Additional Requirements
32
o Electronic Signature of the Executive Directoro Deeming Applications for any subrecipient(s)
o Considered part of the deeming application of the grantee
o Deeming applications by eligible entities must be submitted in the form and manner prescribed by HRSA and must demonstrate that the entity seeking FTCA coverage has successfully implemented all deeming requirements set forth in law
Popovits & Robinson
FTCA – Annual Renewal
33
o All currently deemed grantees must submit a FTCA renewal application for themselves and any subrecipients
o If additional information or clarification is needed to support the application, HRSA will notify the grantee and the grantee will be given ten (10) business days to provide the additional information
Popovits & Robinson
FTCA – Site Visits
34
o HRSA may elect to conduct a site visit at any point during the application review process and/or as part of its oversight responsibilities
o Factors that may prompt a site visit include, but are not limited to:o Submission of an initial FTCA deeming applicationo Unresolved questions identified during the review of the FQHC’s
applicationo Need for follow-up based on prior site visit findings or other
identified issueso History of repeated pertinent conditionso History of claims
Popovits & Robinson
FTCA – Site Visits
35
o Site visit reviewers will assess whether applicant:o Risk management policies and procedureso Credentialed and privileged its physicians and other licensed
or certified health care practitionerso Has history of claims, then may validate that the grantee has
fully cooperated with the Attorney General in defending against any such claims and has taken necessary corrective steps to assure against future claims
Popovits & Robinson
FTCA - Risk Management
36
o PHS Act requires as condition of deeming, to determine that the entity has implemented “appropriate policies and procedures to reduce the risk of malpractice and the risk of lawsuits arising out of any health or health-related functions performed by the entity
Popovits & Robinson
Risk Management Program
37
oRisk management program is critical:o Promote safe and effective patient care practiceso Maintain a safe working environmento Protect FQHC’s financial resources
Popovits & Robinson
Risk Management Program
38
oEffective program can:o Identify and mitigate liability exposureso Prevent and reduce the severity of adverse
eventso Improve patient experienceo Increase provider and staff satisfaction
Popovits & Robinson
Risk Management Program
39
o Value to FQHC:o Secure commitment to improveo Review injuries, adverse events, and near misses to prevent
re-occurrenceo Promote system improvemento Reduce liability exposureo Encourage open communication among providers and staffo Establish a culture of safety
Popovits & Robinson
Risk Management Program
40
o Key principles of the program include:o Claims managemento Complaint resolutiono Confidentiality and release of patient informationo Event investigation, root-cause analysis, and follow-upo Failure mode and effects analysiso Provider and staff education, competency validation, and
credentialing requirementso Reporting and management of adverse events and near
misseso Trend analysis of events, near misses, and claims
Popovits & Robinson
Risk Management Program
41
o Risk management program should be administered through the Risk Manager who reports to the administrator/CEO
o Risk Manager should interact with administration, staff, medical providers, and other professionals
o Risk Manager should chair the Risk Management Committee
Popovits & Robinson
FTCA – Credentialing and Privileging
42
o Entity must review and verify “the professional credentials, references, claims history, fitness, professional review organization findings, and license status of its physicians and other licensed or certified health care practitioners ….”
Popovits & Robinson
FTCA – Credentialing Details
43
o Credentialing of Licensed Independent Practitioners (LIPs) requires primary source verification of:o Current licensureo Relevant education, training, or experienceo Current competenceo Health fitness, or the ability to perform the requested privileges
o Credentialing of LIPs requires secondary source verification of:o Government issued IDo DEA registrationo Hospital privilegeso Immunization and PPD statuso Life support trainingo Query of the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB)
o Determination that LIP meets credentialing requirements by FQHC’s governing board
Popovits & Robinson
FTCA – Credentialing Details
44
o Credentialing of other health care practitioners requires primary source verification of:o License, registration, or certificationo Education and training may be verified by secondary source verificationo Verification of current competence through review of clinical
qualifications and performance
o Credentialing of other health care practitioners requires secondary source verification of the following:o Government issued IDo Immunization and PPD statuso DEA registrationo Hospital admitting privilegeso Life support training
Popovits & Robinson
FTCA – Credentialing and Privileging
45
o Licensed and certified staff members at all FQHC sites including employed or contracted practitioners, volunteers and locum tenems, must include evidence of credentialing and privileging within the last two years
o Credentialing list must include the following:o Name and Professional Designation (e.g., MD/DO, RN, CNM, DDS, LPN,
PA, MA, NP, etc.)o Title/Positiono Specialtyo Employment Status (full-time employee, part-time employee, contractor or
volunteer)o Hire Dateo Current Credentialing Date (must be within past two years)o Next Expected Credentialing Date (if known)
Popovits & Robinson
FTCA - Privileging
46
o Revision or renewal of a privileges at least every 2 yearso Include synopsis of peer review results for the 2 year period
and/or any relevant performance improvement informationo Approval of subsequent privileges vested in the boardo The FQHC should have an appeal process LIPso Appeal process is optional for other licensed or certified
health care practitioners.o NOTE: FTCA requirements may not be the same as
accreditation-related standardso FQHCs that are accredited or seeking accreditation should also review
the applicable accreditation body standards
Popovits & Robinson
Credentialing & Privileging - Board
47
o FQHC’s credentialing and privileging policies and procedures must include documentation of Board approval
o Credentialing and privileging policies and procedures must be approved, signed and dated by the Board
Popovits & Robinson
FTCA - Quality Improvement/Quality Assurance
48
o Initial or renewal application must contain Quality Improvement/Quality Assurance (QI/QA) Plano Clear documentation that the Board reviewed and approved
the plan within three (3) years of the date of submissiono QI/QA plan must be approved, dated, and contain the
appropriate signature(s) of the Board of Directors
Popovits & Robinson
FTCA - Quality Improvement/Quality Assurance
49
o Minutes from any six Board meetings evidencing oversight of QI/QA activities - must provide an explanation if less than six sets of minutes are provided
Popovits & Robinson
Quality Improvement/Quality Assurance
50
o FQHC has an ongoing Quality Improvement/Quality Assurance (QI/QA) which must include: o Clinical directoro Periodic assessment of the appropriateness of the utilization of
services and the quality of services providedo Conducted by physicians or by other licensed health
professionals under the supervision of physicianso Based on the systematic collection and evaluation of patient
records o Identify and document the necessity for change in the
provision of services by the FQHC
Popovits & Robinson
Quality Improvement/Quality Assurance
51
o The clinical director must have clear responsibility for conducting QI/QA assessments/activitieso May be full or part time staff, and should have appropriate
training/background (MD, RN, MPH, etc.), as determined by the needs/size of the FQHC
o Plan must measure and evaluate patient satisfaction o The FQHC must have clinical information systems in
place for key performance datao The findings of the QI/QA process are used to
improve organizational performance
Popovits & Robinson
State Tort Immunity
52
o Illinois provides limited immunity from tort lawsuitso Local Governmental and Governmental Employees
Tort Immunity Acto Provides for coverage for medical facilities, public
health clinic, and physicianso Coverage available for certain injuries and claimso Each entity must make its own specific determination
of whether it falls under the protections of the Act and/or whether the FQHC/Health Department is immunized for its actions/inactions
Popovits & Robinson
State Tort Immunity
53
o Many public and local hospitals and medical centers are protected from medical malpractice claims by the Act
o Generally, failure to diagnose or treat a patient at a public health facility is immunized by the Act
o However, public medical personnel and entities are not immune from:o Negligently or wrongfully prescribing treatmento Negligence, wrongful act, or omission in administering the prescribed
treatment
o The Act may not immunize actions or omissions by “independent contractors”, who are not deemed “employees”
Popovits & Robinson
Governance
54
o Organizations must have a governing body which assumes full authority and oversight responsibility for the FQHC
o The governing board must maintain an acceptable size, composition, and meeting schedule
o The board must have the authority to control the FQHC's budget and major resource decisions, set center policies, and approve the selection and dismissal of the FQHC program director or chief executive officer
Popovits & Robinson
Governance
55
o FQHC must have governing body which:o Meets at least once a month, selects the services to be
provided by the center, schedules the hours during which services will be provided, approves the center's annual budget, approves the selection of a director for the center, and, except in the case of a public center (as defined in the second sentence of this paragraph), establishes general policy for the center
o In the case of the application for a second or subsequent grant for a public center, has approved the application or, if the governing body has not approved the application, the failure of the governing body to approve the application was unreasonable
Popovits & Robinson
Governance – Public Entities
56
o Public entities operating FQHC programs may meet the governance requirement in either of two wayso The public entity's board may meet FQHC board composition
requirements including having a consumer majorityo When the public entity's board does not meet FQHC composition
requirements, a separate FQHC governing board may be established
o FQHC board can be a formally incorporated entity and it and the public entity board are co-applicants for the FQHC program
o When there are two boards, each board's responsibilities must be specified in writing so that the responsibilities for carrying out the governance functions are clearly understood.
o Upon showing of good cause the Secretary may waive all or part of the requirements
Popovits & Robinson
Governance
57
o Public centers with co-applicant boards must meet all the membership requirements and perform all the responsibilities expected of governing boards
o Except co-applicant board is permitted to retain authority for establishing general policies (fiscal and personnel policies)
Popovits & Robinson
Governance
58
o FQHC’s board:o Meets monthlyo FQHCs with approved waivers ONLY may have appropriate
strategies in place to ensure regular oversight, if the board does not meet monthly
o Reviews and approves the annual FQHC (renewal) application and budget
o Conducts an annual review of the CEO’s performance
Popovits & Robinson
Governance
59
o FQHC’s board:o Reviews and approves the services to be provided and the
FQHC’s hours of operationo Measures and evaluates the FQHC’s progress in meeting
annual and long term clinical and financial goalso Engages in strategic and/or long term planning for the FQHC
Popovits & Robinson
Governance
60
o FQHC’s board:o Reviews mission and bylaws on a periodic basiso Receives appropriate information that enables it to evaluate
FQHC patient satisfaction, organizational assets, and performance
o Establishes the general policies, including:o Personnelo Health careo Fiscal and quality assurance/improvemento With the exception of fiscal and personnel policies in the case of a
public agency grantee in a co-applicant arrangement
Popovits & Robinson
Governance - Public Health Department
61
o For Public Center Grantees with Co-Applicant Arrangements only—Public center grantee has a formal co-applicant agreement:o Roles, responsibilities, and the delegation of authoritieso Any shared/split responsibilities between the public center and
co-applicant board
Popovits & Robinson
Governance
62
o The FQHC governing board must be composed of individuals, a majority of whom are being served by the center and, this majority as a group, represent the individuals being served by the center in terms of demographic factors such as race, ethnicity, and sex
o Governing board has at least 9 but no more than 25 members
o The remaining non-consumer members of the board shall be representative of the community
o No more than one half (50%) of the non-consumer board members may derive more than 10% of their annual income from the health care industry
Popovits & Robinson
Governance
63
o A majority (at least 51%) of the board members receive services (i.e., are patients) at the FQHC
o There is no established ratio for board members to population served; however, board composition must be reasonably representative of the populations being served
o FQHCs with approved waivers only–appropriate strategies are in place to ensure consumer/patient participation and input from the target population
Popovits & Robinson
Governance
64
o FQHC bylaws or written corporate board approved policy include provisions that prohibit conflict of interest by board members, employees, consultants, and those who furnish goods or services
o No board member shall be an employee of the FQHC or an immediate family member of an employee
o CEO may serve only as a non-voting ex-officio member of the board
Popovits & Robinson
Governance
65
o The FQHC’s conflict of interest policy must address: o Disclosure of business and personal relationships, including
nepotismo Extent to which a board member can participate in board
decisions where the member has a personal or financial interesto Using board members to provide services to the center o Expense reimbursement policies o Acceptance of gifts and gratuities o Personal political activities of board memberso Consequences for violating the conflict policyo Written standards of conduct governing the performance of its
employees engaged in the award and administration of contracts
Popovits & Robinson
Governance
66
o Options to assist the FQHC in its assessment of health service needs of special populations:o Inclusion on the board of persons who previously have been
FQHC consumers, but no longer receive serviceso Use of an advisory boardo Focus groups comprised of FQHC consumerso Representatives of other service organizations and/or local
advocacy groups
Popovits & Robinson
Relationship Between FQHC andPublic Health Department
67
o Relationship Models:o One organization refers its patients to the other organization
for services (referral arrangement)o One organization co-locates to the other organization’s facility
(co-location arrangement)o FQHC purchases services and/or capacity from the health
department (purchase of services arrangement)
Popovits & Robinson
Relationship Between FQHC andPublic Health Department
68
o Referral Arrangement Considerationso Under a referral arrangement, both the FQHC and
the health department typically continue to perform the same scope of services
o All services provided within an FQHC’s scope of project via referral to another provider must be provided through a formal referral arrangement
Popovits & Robinson
Relationship Between FQHC andPublic Health Department
69
o Under referral arrangement, the FQHC and the health department maintain their own employees and contractors
o Credentialing requirements, by-laws and clinical policies of the organization providing services govern
o FTCA coverage is available to the FQHC if it is the referral provider
o FTCA coverage is not available for the health department or its contracted or employed health care professionals
Popovits & Robinson
Relationship Between FQHC andPublic Health Department
70
o Co-Location Arrangementso Relationship under which a provider agrees to treat
patients who are referred to it by another providero Maintains its own practice and control over the
provision of the referral services and is legally and financially responsible for the referral services
o Health care professional furnishing the referral services is physically located at the other organization’s site
Popovits & Robinson
Relationship Between FQHC andPublic Health Department
71
o Co-Location Agreemento Patients are simply referred to the health department
as they would be under a standard referral relationship
o If FQHC establishes a site within the health department, the FQHC must obtain prior approval from HRSA to add the site to its scope of project
Popovits & Robinson
Relationship Between FQHC andPublic Health Department
72
o Lease of Space and/or Equipmento FQHC and health department should execute a
lease covering the space, equipment, utilities, supplies, and support personnel that will be utilized by the co-located provider, as well as other associated costs
Popovits & Robinson
Relationship Between FQHC andPublic Health Department
73
o Co-Location Agreement should contain assurances from the co-located provider regarding professional qualifications, licensure, certification, insurance, eligibility to participate in federal programs with regard to the other organization and its professionals
Popovits & Robinson
Relationship Between FQHC andPublic Health Department
74
o FTCA coverage is available if the FQHC co-locates to an health department facility, adds the site to its scope of project, and provides services within its scope of project
o Under the co-location arrangement, FTCA coverage is not available for the health department, its employees and its contracted health care professionals
Popovits & Robinson
Relationship Between FQHC andPublic Health Department
75
o Purchase of Services Arrangementso One organization purchases services from the other
organization, which provides such services as a vendor and on behalf of the other “purchasing” organization
o FQHCs and health departments may enter into arrangements for the purchase of administrative services
Popovits & Robinson
Relationship Between FQHC andPublic Health Department
76
o The purchasing organization is the provider of record for the contracted services rendered to patients
o Services provided by the vendor organization may be provided at either the purchasing organization’s facility or at the vendor organization’s facility
o FQHC and health department remain separate entities
Popovits & Robinson
Relationship Between FQHC andPublic Health Department
77
o Purchase of Services Agreemento If the service(s) provided to FQHC patients by the
contracted health department health care professional(s) are not within the FQHC’s scope of project, then the FQHC must request and obtain prior approval from HRSA to add the services
o FQHC must confirm that the location qualifies as a “site”
Popovits & Robinson
Relationship Between FQHC andPublic Health Department
78
o Reimbursement from Payors and Patientso Patients served under this arrangement would be considered
FQHC patients for all services provided and, the FQHC would bill appropriate third party payors and collect any fees from patients
Popovits & Robinson
Relationship Between FQHC andPublic Health Department
79
o Purchase of Services Agreement should include provisions to ensure that the health department health care professional provides services to the FQHC patients in the same manner as if the FQHC was providing the services directly
Popovits & Robinson
Relationship Between FQHC andPublic Health Department
80
o Agreement must be directly between the FQHC and the individual health professional providing services
o Agreement between the FQHC and health department will not extend FTCA coverage to the individual health professional who is an health department employee
Popovits & Robinson
Relationship Between FQHC andPublic Health Department
81
o Additional legal issues that should be addressed in structuring FQHC-health department partnerships:o Federal tax considerationso Federal fraud and abuse law (e.g., anti-kickback, false claims)o Federal physician self-referral law (Stark)o Federal Antitrust lawo HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2o HHS Uniform Administrative Requirementso State counterparts to federal laws, including fraud, abuse, and self-referralo Clinic licensure and certificate of need lawso Professional licensure, certification and/or other authorization to render serviceso Zoning lawso Corporation/LLC statuteso Privacy of patient health informationo Insuranceo Scope of practice (including supervision requirements for non-physician providers
Popovits & Robinson
Questions/Follow-up
82
Gerald “Jud” E. DeLoss
Popovits & Robinson
(708) 479-3230
www.popovitslaw.com