FY13 Announcement of Anticipated Availability of Funds for the Adoption and Implementation of Health Information Technology in Family Planning Services Grants Region 5 | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this grant opportunity?

This is an FY13 discretionary grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number PA FPH 13 046) issued by the Office of Population Affairs (OPA) within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health. It is intended to help Title X family planning providers in Region 5 strengthen their health information technology (HIT) capacity during the transition period associated with the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

What is the main purpose of the grant?

The purpose is to support continued access to high-quality primary and preventive reproductive health care by helping clinics move toward modern, reliable electronic systems. The grant is aimed at enabling clinics to support both existing patients and newly insured individuals while meeting expanding clinical, administrative, and financial requirements.

Who is the funding intended to serve?

The funding is specifically intended for Title X family planning providers in Region 5 and the service sites within their Title X projects that will benefit from grant-supported HIT activities.

What are the three main outcomes the program is designed to support?

The announcement identifies three intended outcomes:

• Adoption and implementation of certified electronic health record (EHR) technology.
• Support for meeting federal "meaningful use" requirements to qualify for and obtain incentive payments through the Medicaid and Medicare EHR Incentive Programs.
• Use of HIT as a practical tool to improve clinical quality and day-to-day operations.

What types of technology or systems does the opportunity emphasize?

The opportunity emphasizes accelerating adoption and effective use of health information technology, especially certified EHR systems. It also references establishing or enhancing electronic medical record/electronic health record (EMR/EHR) use across service sites.

Is the grant only for purchasing new software or hardware?

No. The emphasis is not only on purchasing or installing technology, but on implementing systems in ways that improve how clinics function in the evolving ACA-driven environment. Proposals are expected to show how HIT upgrades produce real operational and patient-care benefits.

What kinds of benefits should applicants describe in their proposals?

Applicants are expected to clearly explain how proposed HIT upgrades will deliver operational and patient-care improvements, including better care delivery, documentation, reporting, and financial sustainability.

What priorities does the announcement highlight for proposals?

The notice highlights several priorities that proposals should address, including:

• Improving the quality of care delivered.
• Strengthening the ability of family planning organizations to participate in provider networks.
• Expanding third-party billing capacity.
• Supporting Medicaid enrollment efforts.
• Establishing or enhancing EMR/EHR use across service sites.

How does this grant relate to the Affordable Care Act (ACA)?

The grant is framed as support for the transition period created by the ACA. It focuses on helping clinics adopt modern electronic workflows and capabilities needed to serve newly insured individuals and to handle increasing clinical, administrative, and financial demands, including those tied to billing and provider network participation.

Why is "meaningful use" mentioned in the grant description?

The program is designed to help family planning centers meet federal "meaningful use" requirements so they can qualify for and obtain incentive payments available through the Medicaid and Medicare EHR Incentive Programs.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to public or private nonprofit entities that are Title X family planning service grantees as of June 30, 2013.

Can a sub-recipient agency apply directly?

No. Sub-recipient agencies cannot apply on their own. They must be included under an application submitted by their Title X grantee.

How many applications may a Title X grantee submit?

Each Title X grantee is permitted to submit only one application.

Can the single application cover more than one service site or sub-recipient?

Yes. A single application may cover multiple service sites and/or multiple sub-recipients under the Title X project.

What must applications specify about the use of funds?

Applications must clearly spell out how funds will be used and identify which organizations within the Title X project will benefit from the grant-supported activities.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

What is the CFDA number and program name associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 93.217, Family Planning Services.

What is the expected number of awards?

The announcement anticipates approximately 100 awards.

What is the funding range per award?

Individual awards are expected to range from $20,000 (floor) to $250,000 (ceiling), supporting both smaller targeted upgrades and more comprehensive implementation efforts depending on the grantee's needs and scale.

What are the key dates for this opportunity?

The notice lists a posted and creation date of April 10, 2013. The application closing date is May 17, 2013 (shown as both the original and current deadline). The opportunity was later archived on June 16, 2013.

Where should applicants go for submission instructions and materials?

The notice directs applicants to Grants.gov for submission logistics and to access or submit the full announcement materials.

Where can applicants get technical help with Grants.gov?

The announcement references the Grants.gov Contact Center as the source for help with accessing or submitting the full announcement materials through Grants.gov.