The Health Resources and Services Administration awarded over $81 million to more than 1,460 health centers to support the HHS Bridge Access Program and CDC’s Bridge Access Program.
This funding strives to continue providing equitable access to COVID-19 testing, vaccination, and treatment to communities, including those who are uninsured or underinsured.
HHS Bridge Access Program
Factsheet
INTRODUCTION:
In support of the HHS Bridge Access Program for COVID-19 Vaccines and Treatments, and in coordination with CDC’s Bridge Access Program, HRSA is providing more than $81 million in one-time Bridge funding to active Expanding COVID-19 Vaccination (ECV/H8G) award recipients. The funding supports health centers’ ability to provide essential COVID-19-related services to communities. Awards are based on a formula-based supplement to the current ECV awardees.
HOW FUNDING SHOULD BE UTILIZED:
Health centers may use these one-time funds to support their communities, including the uninsured and underinsured individuals by:
- Maintaining COVID-19 vaccination, testing, and therapeutics related services
- Providing enabling services (outreach, education, enrollment assistance, transportation, translation, care coordination) to support COVID-19 related needs
- Community COVID-19 vaccination events
- Personnel who support COVID-19 related services and care deliverySupplies that support COVID-19 related services and care delivery
Funding may support costs dating back to June 1, 2023, if aligned with allowable activities.
ELIGIBILITY: WHO IS ELIGIBLE AND HOW
(1) Entities that currently receive Health Center Program (H80) grant funding
(2) FQHCs that received American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) grant funding (L2C).
Health centers will need to enroll as 317 adult immunization providers with their S/LHD immunization program to request Bridge Access Program COVID-19 vaccines for uninsured and underinsured individuals.
The ability to enroll with a S/LHD immunization program and receive vaccines through it depends on:
(1) State-level vaccine availability
(2) Number of counties in the state
(3) Enrollment demand
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE AND AWARD INFORMATION:
September 1, 2023 – December 31, 2024
HRSA determined each health center’s award amount using the following formula:
Base value of $10,029 (+) $11.53 per uninsured patient reported in 2022 Uniform Data System (UDS).
If you cannot use all or part of your Bridge funding in accordance with the terms on your award for the allowable activities, you should relinquish all or part of the award back to HRSA.
Required Post-Award Submission / Monitoring and Reporting:
You must complete and submit the SF-424A budget form (via the HRSA Electronic Handbooks (EHBs) and the budget narrative within 30 days of the award release date. You must also:
- Respond to the HRSA Health Center COVID-19 survey until HRSA ends the survey.
- Submit regular progress reports to HRSA.
- Submit a final report at the end of the project period to HRSA.
All health centers will also continue to report COVID-19 testing and vaccination data through HRSA’s Uniform Data System.
Technical Assistance / Other Helpful Info:
Review the Billing and Cost Sharing Overview for COVID-19 Vaccination, Testing, and Treatment resource for information about reimbursement and your sliding fee.
Submit your questions using the BPHC Contact Form / COVID 19 FAQs and resources available here
Related Resources
View NACHC’s COVID-19 Resource page.
