Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and the Health Center Program – Resources
Selected recent or important resources focusing on Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and the Health Center Program.
Health Center Program Site Visit Protocol
Standardized review instrument to conduct operational site visits at health centers in rural and urban areas. Can be used to assess health centers' compliance with federal program requirements and to identify clinical and financial performance improvement areas.
Sponsoring organization: Bureau of Primary Health Care
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Standardized review instrument to conduct operational site visits at health centers in rural and urban areas. Can be used to assess health centers' compliance with federal program requirements and to identify clinical and financial performance improvement areas.
Sponsoring organization: Bureau of Primary Health Care
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Health Center Program Compliance Manual
Identifies and explains key requirements of HRSA's Health Center Program. Designed to help health centers understand and demonstrate compliance with the Health Center Program requirements. Applies to all health centers that apply to or receive federal funds under the Health Center Program, authorized by section 330 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act, and organizations designated as look-alikes.
Sponsoring organization: Bureau of Primary Health Care
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Identifies and explains key requirements of HRSA's Health Center Program. Designed to help health centers understand and demonstrate compliance with the Health Center Program requirements. Applies to all health centers that apply to or receive federal funds under the Health Center Program, authorized by section 330 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act, and organizations designated as look-alikes.
Sponsoring organization: Bureau of Primary Health Care
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State Operations Manual Appendix Z - Emergency Preparedness for All Provider and Certified Supplier Types Interpretive Guidance
Interpretive guidelines clarifying several provisions of the emergency preparedness final rule for Medicare- and Medicaid-participating providers, which affects Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), and other rural facilities.
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Interpretive guidelines clarifying several provisions of the emergency preparedness final rule for Medicare- and Medicaid-participating providers, which affects Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), and other rural facilities.
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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CMS State Operations Manual (SOM)
Provides guidance to state agencies that survey healthcare facilities and providers to determine if they are in compliance with the Medicare Conditions of Participation (CoP). Includes appendices with regulatory information specific to Critical Access Hospitals (Appendix W) and Federally Qualified Health Centers/Rural Health Clinics (Appendix G). Can be used by healthcare facilities as a tool to self-evaluate their compliance with Medicare CoP.
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Provides guidance to state agencies that survey healthcare facilities and providers to determine if they are in compliance with the Medicare Conditions of Participation (CoP). Includes appendices with regulatory information specific to Critical Access Hospitals (Appendix W) and Federally Qualified Health Centers/Rural Health Clinics (Appendix G). Can be used by healthcare facilities as a tool to self-evaluate their compliance with Medicare CoP.
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Code of Federal Regulations: Title 42 Public Health, Chapter 4, Subchapter G, Part 491, Subpart A - Rural Health Clinics: Conditions for Certification; and FQHCs Conditions for Coverage
Establishes the conditions Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers must meet to qualify for reimbursement under Medicare, as well as those that Rural Health Clinics must meet to qualify for reimbursement under Medicaid.
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Establishes the conditions Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers must meet to qualify for reimbursement under Medicare, as well as those that Rural Health Clinics must meet to qualify for reimbursement under Medicaid.
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Health Center Service Delivery and LookâAlike Sites
Provides downloadable files listing Health Center Program awardees and look-alikes. Includes location fields for states and counties.
Sponsoring organization: Health Resources and Services Administration
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Provides downloadable files listing Health Center Program awardees and look-alikes. Includes location fields for states and counties.
Sponsoring organization: Health Resources and Services Administration
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Scoring Shortage Designations
Provides an overview of the Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) designation scoring criteria, as well as Maternity Care Target Areas (MCTAs). Covers additional criteria and guidelines specific to each of the three types of designations: primary care, dental and mental health. Also covers scoring criteria for the Medically Underserved Area and Medically Underserved Population (MUA/P) designation.
Sponsoring organization: Health Resources and Services Administration
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Provides an overview of the Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) designation scoring criteria, as well as Maternity Care Target Areas (MCTAs). Covers additional criteria and guidelines specific to each of the three types of designations: primary care, dental and mental health. Also covers scoring criteria for the Medically Underserved Area and Medically Underserved Population (MUA/P) designation.
Sponsoring organization: Health Resources and Services Administration
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Find Shortage Areas by Address
Searchable tool for identifying Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) and Medically Underserved Areas/Populations (MUA/P) by street address, city, and state or a street address and zip code.
Sponsoring organization: Health Resources and Services Administration
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Searchable tool for identifying Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) and Medically Underserved Areas/Populations (MUA/P) by street address, city, and state or a street address and zip code.
Sponsoring organization: Health Resources and Services Administration
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Medicare Learning Network: Federally Qualified Health Center
Provides a general overview of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and includes a list of helpful rural health resources and websites.
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Provides a general overview of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and includes a list of helpful rural health resources and websites.
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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CMS Regional Office Rural Health Coordinators
The list of CMS regional rural health coordinators who provide technical, policy, and operational assistance on rural health issues. Located below information on Rural Health Open Door Forums and Medicare Learning Network publications.
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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The list of CMS regional rural health coordinators who provide technical, policy, and operational assistance on rural health issues. Located below information on Rural Health Open Door Forums and Medicare Learning Network publications.
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Last Updated: 3/27/2025