Intermittent Clinic Licensing Guidance

Health & Safety Code (HSC) Section 1206 defines intermittent as clinics operated by a licensed primary care clinic operated on separate premises from the licensed clinic and only open for limited services of no more than 40 hours a week. Intermittent clinics are exempt from the licensure process; however, a licensed Primary Care Clinic (PCC) is required to notify the Department if it is currently operating an intermittent clinic. 

Steps to Establishing an Intermittent Clinic

  1. Clinics must notify the Department of Health Care Services’ (DHCS) Provider Enrollment Division (PED) of the intermittent site.
    • Notification must be a letter submitted to PED, on corporate letterhead, requesting enrollment of the intermittent site. Guidance on the required content of the notification can be found on the Provider Checklist and Sample Notification Application.
    • HRSA Notice of Award (FQHCs only): For FQHCs, the intermittent site must be added to HRSA scope, resulting in a Notice of Award specifying the intermittent site’s location.
  2. To simplify the process and prevent delays in processing providers Medi-Cal certification for new intermittent clinics, PED will forward a copy of the intermittent notification to the Centralized Applications Branch (CAB) at the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) for processing.
    • This only applies to new intermittent clinics that have not yet been established in the Provider Enrollment Division’s database. 
  3. A CAB analyst will review the written notification to ensure all required information and/or documents are received and complete.
    • If information is missing or incorrect, the analyst will contact the provider by email, letter or phone to obtain the information.
  4. Once the notification is deemed complete, the analyst will notify the applicant and appropriate district office by letter, e-mail or phone.
    • If a new license is not required, the analyst will forward the notification and documents to the appropriate district office.
    • If a new license is required, CAB will issue a license and forward the notification and documents to the appropriate district office.

Additional Considerations

  • Clinics may check the status of the intermittent clinic correspondence by going to the Provider Enrollment Division webpage on the DHCS website and completing an Inquiry Form (found under Provider Resources).
  • CAB does not require an STD 850 to be submitted with an intermittent clinic notification. However, pursuant to HSC § 1206(h), it is the responsibility of the provider to maintain compliance with fire and life safety requirements.
  • CAB recommends keeping a record of the intermittent clinic’s fire safety inspection clearance available in the facility.
  • Intermittent clinics must enroll directly with Medicare and receive their own Provider Transaction Access Number (PTAN). Medicare requires that the intermittent clinic be listed on the parent license prior to enrollment approval.

Questions

  • For questions regarding the intermittent notification process, contact intermittentclinics@dhcs.ca.gov.
  • For questions regarding the establishment of the intermittent clinic in the Provider Master File or to check if received by PED, email DHCS – PED directly at PED-FSP@dhcs.ca.gov.

Converting an Existing Primary Care Clinic to an Intermittent Clinic

A licensed primary care clinic seeking to convert to an intermittent clinic must submit its request to CDPH first. To notify CDPH of converting a licensed PCC to an intermittent clinic, complete the required notification application packet. Submit a completed notification application packet to the Centralized Applications Branch (CAB). Refer to the Provider Instructions and Provider Checklist ​ for more information.

Intermittent Clinics Conversion and Family PACT Enrollment

Please note that DHCS’ PED automatically deactivates the provider’s Family PACT enrollment when they change provider types/NPIs, so clinics will need to reapply for Family PACT once they make the change to intermittent clinic. Site certifiers need to have completed the provider orientation within the last two years to be able to continue serving as the location’s site certifier. If they have not, clinics should have the affected locations’ site certifiers complete the updated online trainings and attend provider orientation ahead of their clinic’s change.

Questions

  • For questions about the initial or change of ownership application submission process, contact CABClinics@cdph.ca.gov
  • For questions about the report of change application submission process and intermittent clinics, contact CABNLTC@cdph.ca.gov
    • For application status requests, include the following in the email:
      • Name of facility or agency
      • License or facility/agency number (if applicable)
      • Address
      • Facility or provider type
      • Date documentation was sent
      • Contact number