Telehealth Settings & Specialties: FQHCS

Telehealth Settings & Specialties: FQHCS

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) are essential safety-net providers, delivering comprehensive primary and preventive care to underserved populations. Telehealth is increasingly used by FQHCs to support access to care, workforce sustainability, and continuity of services, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

I'm a Federally Qualified Health Center (community health center). What do I need to know about telehealth?

Telehealth use in FQHCs is governed by a mix of federal requirements, state Medicaid policies, and payer reimbursement rules. Below, we've listed trusted resources to help community health centers navigate telehealth policy, reimbursement, implementation, clinical delivery, and long-term sustainability.

Policy, Reimbursement & Legal Resources for FQHCs

Federal Policy & CMS Guidance

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

• CMS FQHC Resource Page
• Medicare Benefit Policy Manual (RHCs & FQHCs), Chapter 13 - March 2025
• Medicare Learning Network Resources:
  • Chronic Care Management (June 2025)
  • Mental Health Visits via Telecommunications (May 2023)
  • Communication Technology-Based Services (Effective Jan 2019)

HRSA & HHS Guidance

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

• Program Assistance Letter (PAL 2020-01): Telehealth and Scope of Project
• Billing Medicare as a Safety-Net Provider (RHCs & FQHCs)
• Center for Connected Health Policy FQHC Fact Sheet (Fall 2025)

FQHC Telehealth Reimbursement Tools

• CMS Billing Lingo, Defined
• Telehealth Documentation & E/M Visits (one-pager)
• Reimbursement Tips for RPM & RTM
• Summary of Medicare Care Management Services (G0511)

FQHC Telehealth Program Development & Sustainability

Planning Implementation & Optimization

• California TRC Telehealth Sustainability Worksheet (sample calculator)
• National TRC Telehealth Program Development Resources for FQHCs
• Telehealth and Virtual Services Guide for FQHCs & RHCs
• Telehealth Taxonomy for FQHC Data Capture

Telementoring, eConsults & Clinical Support

Examples of Provider-to-Provider Support Models

• Weitzman ECHO - Specialty-focused ECHO clinics for safety-net providers
• MAVEN Project - Volunteer physician mentoring and consults

Visit the Resource Library for additional resources and published literature