Required reading: HRSA’s recently released Compliance Manual and Operational Site Visit Protocol
They’re finally here and effective immediately. Many of our Arizona Health Centers are preparing for Operational Site Visits (OSVs) in the coming months, sometimes provoking excitement, sometimes a bit of anxiety, and always a flurry of preparation to make sure that no details are missed.
The requirements of being a grantee or Look Alike have not changed but there is a new structure and objectivity in the process when reviewers are on site. There are some changes with regard to how you will demonstrate compliance, some elements will be assessed off-site by HRSA prior to the OSV, but the majority will still be assessed on-site by your OSV review team. Reviewers will not only be looking at whether or not you have established the required policies and procedures, but that you have implemented them as well. That means they will be reviewing documents, charts, files, etc. to show that you have actually implemented the written policies and procedures. There will still be interviews with Board members, and review of Board minutes and Board related documents, to assure that the Board exercises its appropriate authority and functions. Related to Board Authority, a Health Center will now be asked to provide one or two examples of actions taken as a result of the Board’s periodic evaluation of policies. Board members should be prepared but not scared.
HRSA also recently released the Progressive Actions Conditions Library, which directly corresponds to elements within the Compliance Manual. These are the exact conditions that will be placed on a Notice of Award/Look-Alike Designation, if a Health Center does not demonstrate compliance at the OSV.
As you familiarize yourselves with the Compliance Manual, OSV Protocols, and related tools, please contact me at any time if you have questions. If you are preparing for an Operational Site Visit, please let me know if I, or any AACHC staff can be of assistance in your process. If you need to prepare your Board or Staff for an upcoming OSV, I would be happy to provide an overview and let them know what to expect.
If you haven’t already, please let us know when your OSV is scheduled so that we can get the dates on our calendar and plan on being there to support you.
I know reviewers will be leaving Arizona Operational Site Visits with many highlights and examples of best practices to share. Best of luck!
For more information, please contact: