The entire Sliding Fee Discount Program, which includes the nominal fee, must be evaluated. The Health Center Program Site Visit Protocol, Sliding Fee Discount Program, Element L provides specific details which describe that the program must be evaluated to reduce financial barriers to care. This must be completed at least once every 3 years and assess whether patients within each of the discount pay classes (or levels) are able to access health center services. For more information on the specific details required by HRSA, please visit: Sliding Fee Discount Program | Bureau of Primary Health Care.

There are many different ways to evaluate the Sliding Fee Discount Program, but here are some guidelines:

• Use Patient Focus Groups and patient satisfaction survey questions to learn what your patients are saying
• Generate a report indicating the number of patients in each sliding fee pay class
• Generate a report indicating the amount of outstanding patient balances in each sliding fee pay class
• Generate a report indicating the number of patients on a payment plan who have an oustanding balance
• Present information for the Board to discuss.
• Document any changes, if needed. If no changes are made, discuss that with key management at the health center and also with the Board of Directors.