July 28, 2026

BPHC Program Updates Recap

See the slides from the Tuesday, July 21 BPHC Program Updates webcast. Here are highlights from the session:

• CMS provided information about the Essential Community Provider Application and Annual Renewal Form If you have questions, please contact EssentialCommunityProviders@cms.hhs.gov.
• The 2026 CHQR dashboard and 2025 UDS data will be available at the start of National Health Center Week by August 3, 2026.
• BPHC is creating a simpler, clearer, and more efficient Change in Scope (CIS) Process! As part of the CIS Module System Improvement, there will be a month-long pause in CIS submissions:
  • Health Centers will not be able to submit CIS requests from 10/20/2026 through 11/19/2026.
  • The CIS module will reopen on 11/20/2026.
  • Please plan ahead and consult your Project Officer to discuss planned requests and timelines. See the webcast slides for more information.
• CX update: Check out our redesigned BPHC Contact Form – now simpler and more intuitive to use! Thank you for all your input and support following this year-long effort. We welcome your additional feedback for improvement which you can send after submitting a ticket.
• No BPHC Program Updates in August, we will resume in late September.

Join the next BPHC Program Updates webcast:

Tuesday, September 29
2:00 –3:00 p.m. ET
Access information coming soon

Funding Reminders 

(FY) 2027 Expanding Nutrition Services (ENS) Notice of Funding Opportunity

On July 8, 2026, HRSA released the FY 2027 ENS Funding Opportunity to increase access to nutrition services at HRSA-funded health centers. Applications are due in Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, September 9, 2026. Note, there is no HRSA Electronic Handbooks (EHBs) application for this funding opportunity.

We encourage potential applicants to view the  technical assistance (TA) webinar slides and the TA webinar recording.  Please submit questions through the BPHC Contact Form. Under Funding, select Applications for Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs), then Expanding Nutrition Services (ENS). Visit the ENS technical assistance webpage for more information.

What's New

Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule out for Public Comment

CMS released the Calendar Year 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule. The proposed rule would change telehealth and remote monitoring policy, the Medicare Shared Savings Program, and the Medicare Part D 340B repository, among other areas. Public comments are due by September 14.

New National Technical Assistance Programs (NTAP) Awards Announced

Today, HRSA released $24 million in awards for the FY 2026 National Technical Assistance Programs (NTAP). NTAP award recipients will provide high-impact technical assistance to support existing and potential health centers with a focus on:

• Supporting the delivery of comprehensive, high-quality primary health care. 
• Improving chronic disease management, nutrition, and preventive services. 
• Improving operational effectiveness, efficiency, and quality. 
• Addressing emergent public health needs and priorities. 
• Complying with and exceeding Health Center Program and supplemental funding requirements. 

Awards were made in three categories:

• Clinical and Preventive Excellence: Cicatelli Associates
• Operational Excellence: National PCA Hub
• National TA and Coordination Center: National Association of Community Health Centers

Through these awards, BPHC continues its investment in providing health centers with the technical assistance needed to strengthen high-quality, comprehensive primary health care.

Historical Uniform Data System (UDS) Data Added to HRSA Data Warehouse

Historical Uniform Data System (UDS) data for Health Center Program awardees and look-alikes is now available on HRSA Data Warehouse Data Downloads. Visit the Health Centers section to access historical files, including those from 2024, the latest UDS reporting year.  

This update is part of HRSA's ongoing effort to improve access to health and program data by providing a single location for downloading datasets. UDS files will continue to be available in their existing location on the Electronic Reading Room during this transition period. 

Reminders

Request for Information to Support Executive Order (EO) 14401, “Accelerating Medical Treatments for Serious Mental Illness”

On July 14, HRSA published a request for information (RFI) seeking feedback on training and care delivery models for the safe use of potential future Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved psychedelic drugs in outpatient settings, including health centers and rural health clinics. Please review the RFI in the Federal Register and share any feedback by Thursday, August 13.

2026 Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) Office Hours

FTCA Office Hours are available for the 2026 Health Center Redeeming cycle. Office Hours provide a 15-minute, one-on-one technical assistance session to support health centers in completing the 2026 FTCA application. FTCA-deemed health centers that received a Compliance Notice, as well as PCAs supporting eligible health centers, may schedule an FTCA Office Hours session through Calendly. To sign up, select an available date and time, have your H80 Grant Number ready, and complete the intake form with your contact information, a brief topic summary, your top three questions, and the names/roles of attendees. See attachment for scheduling instructions. Calendly will send an initial confirmation holding your time slot, but your session is not finalized until West 4th Strategy reviews your intake and sends a separate approval email. Each health center may schedule one session at a time. Please also email your Compliance Notice to bphcftcaprogramsupport@west4thstrategy.com before your time is confirmed.

Upcoming Events

Tomorrow! Advancing Patient-Centered Health Care (APCHC) Symposium

The Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC) is excited to invite you to the virtual 5th Annual Advancing Patient-Centered Health Care (APCHC) Symposium on July 29, 2026, from 11:00 am-3:30 pm ET. Participants will have the opportunity to hear about and discuss best practices and lessons learned from peers and experts in the fields of quality improvement and accreditation and recognition. The agenda for the Symposium can be found here.                  

Monday, July 29                
11:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. ET                 
Register for the symposium

New! Register for UDS Reporting Office Hours

BPHC is hosting Uniform Data System (UDS) Office Hours on August 6, 2026, from 2:00 – 3:00 PM ET. Health centers will learn how to navigate and use the newly(?) available 2025 UDS reports and explore how these tools can be used to assist with program management and quality improvement. The office hour will highlight where to access these reports through HRSA’s Electronic Handbooks (EHBs) and the HRSA Data Warehouse. 

 The reports that will be covered in this office hour include: 

• 2025 UDS Report 
• UDS Summary Report 
• UDS Health Center Trend Report
• UDS Health Center Performance Comparison Report 
• UDS State and National Rollup Reports 

Health center staff are encouraged to register and attend. 

Thursday, August 6
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET
Register here to attend

2026 National Ryan White Conference on HIV Care & Treatment
Building on 35 Years of CARE: Strengthening our Foundation and Advancing Access to End the HIV Epidemic

August 4-7, 2026
Washington, DC and virtual
Register to attend today

Introducing the Hepatitis B Toolkit and Hepatitis C Telehealth Toolkit for Health Centers

Join Dr. Dianna White and Dr. Buhari Mohammed to learn about the newly updated Hepatitis B Toolkit and Hepatitis C Telehealth Toolkit developed to support HRSA-funded health centers in strengthening viral hepatitis prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and linkage to care. This webinar will introduce the key components of each toolkit, highlight current clinical recommendations, and demonstrate practical strategies that health centers can use to integrate hepatitis services into primary care workflows.  

Wednesday, August 19
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. ET
Register at this link

BPHC Program Updates

Tuesday, September 29
2:00 –3:00 p.m. ET
Access information coming soon