Are you completing your very first Service Area Competition (SAC) application? Maybe you are a veteran health center program participant and you’ve done many SAC applications over the years. Or perhaps you are a new CEO in a veteran health center and you are a little unsure about what to expect from the SAC process. Did you know that the OSV is meant to enhance your competitiveness when you submit your SAC? Many health center program participants are not aware that the OSV is designed to help

enhance their competitiveness against organizations (known and unknown) who want

to enter their service area. The SAC application is just that: a competition for a designated service area!

Health Center program grants, like all federal grants, are funded by public tax payor dollars. That’s why any organization that meets the program eligibility requirements can compete to establish a brick-and-mortar health center in an identified service area. While it is not common that the primary designated health center loses its grant to a SAC challenger, it can happen. What’s more common is that one health center provider successfully competes for a portion of another health center provider’s designated service area. This SAC outcome can lead to a drop in patient volume and decreased revenue for the health center provider that now must share its service area. 

Compliatric started the new year off with its continuous compliance 2.0 series “The OSV Visit: The Key Building Block to a Successful SAC Application.” This webinar series provides participants with a “crosswalk” understanding regarding how to leverage HRSA site visits to achieve maximum competitiveness when submitting their SAC application. The information will include highlighted real-life examples and critical insights from a former HRSA/BPHC project officer. The webinar series is guaranteed to enhance your understanding regarding how to leverage the OSV to maintain the competitive edge in your service area. Be on the lookout for upcoming announcements of future sessions, and visit our website to review any episodes you missed!