WHAT IS A FQHC?
According to the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) are, "community-based health care providers that receive funds from the HRSA Health Center Program to provide primary care services in underserved areas. FQHCs must meet a stringent set of requirements, including providing care on a sliding fee scale based on ability to pay and operating under a governing board that includes patients." Valley Health Care is a FQHC. As such, we are part of a network of over 1400 other similar health centers operating in the US. For over 50 years, the Community Health Center program has been growing as a broad-based, bipartisan movement to ensure access to high quality primary care for all of our neighbors.
Valley Health Care, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), is deemed by the Bureau of Primary Health Care of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to be a federal employee for purposes of medical malpractice claims and, as such, qualified for protection under the Federal Tort Claims Act.
According to the FTCA requirements, medical malpractice claims against the health center are reviewed and/or litigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. An individual who has a claim against the health center is to file an administrative claim with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the General Counsel General Law Division Claims and Employment Law Branch
U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services
330 C Street, SW
Attention: CLAIMS Switzer Building, Suite 2600
Washington, D.C., 20201
HHS-FTCA-Claims@hhs.gov
Phone No.: (202) 691-2369
Fax No.: 202-619-2922
