According to the Department of Health and Human Services, a FQHC/CHC entity must meet one of these requirements to be certified:
- Is receiving a grant under Section 330 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act (42 United States Code Section 254a) or is receiving funding from such a grant and meets other requirements
- Is not receiving a grant under Section 330 of the PHS Act but is determined by the Secretary of the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) to meet the requirements for receiving such a grant (qualifies as a “FQHC look-alike”) based on the recommendation of the Health Resources and Services Administration
- Was treated by the Secretary of HHS for purposes of Medicare Part B as a comprehensive federally-funded health center as of January 1, 1990
- Is operating as an outpatient health program or facility of a tribe or tribal organization under the Indian Self-determination Act or as an urban Indian organization receiving funds under Title V of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act as of October 1991