Oklahoma Volunteer Charitable Healthcare Provider Program (OVCHPP)
Notice to Volunteer and Charitable Healthcare Providers regarding Telehealth Services
In response to inquiries received in our office, we want to clarify that telehealth services can be covered under your contract with the State of Oklahoma for tort coverage on services provided to indigent patients. Please be advised that coverage applies only to services provided to patients determined to be indigent*. Furthermore, in order for coverage to apply, appropriate documentation including medical records for patients and dates of in-clinic and/or telehealth services must be maintained by the free clinic for whom you are providing services.
*Medically indigent means a person requiring medically necessary hospital or other health care services for the person or the dependents of the person who has no public or private third-party coverage, and whose personal resources are insufficient to provide for needed health care. [51 O.S.Supp.2007, § 152(8)]
About OVCHPP
The Oklahoma Volunteer Charitable Healthcare Provider Program (OVCHPP) offers state tort immunity from liability to health care providers who provide care to medically indigent persons at a free clinic, and who are working within the scope of employment of a charitable health care provider. The OVCHPP also offers healthcare providers state tort immunity from liability in instances where a patient is referred from a free clinic to another charitable healthcare provider for medical services.
Click Here to view the Oklahoma Governmental Tort Claims Act.
Click Here to view the OVCHPP Program Rules
Eligible Charitable Providers
A volunteer professional or a referred volunteer professional must be engaged in the active practice of a medical professional or retired from a medically related profession, if still eligible to provide medically related professional services within this state.
Eligible professions include optometry licensed under 59 O.S. § 493.5, Special Volunteer License to Treat Indigent and Needy Persons - Eligible Volunteers:
How to Apply for an OVCHPP Contract
STEP 1: Complete the OVCHPP Contract Packet
| Application Links |
Description |
Complete ALL information highlighted in yellow in the OVCHPP Provider Packet. The packet includes 1) Healthcare Provider Application; 2) Charitable Healthcare Provider Contract. 3) OSDH Certification of Independent Contractor Status and 4) Clinic Acknowledgment to Maintain Patient Records. |
STEP 2: Complete the Smartsheet Form
2024-2025 Contract Packet
1) Have your completed contract packet ready. You may print and complete this packet to upload or you may complete this packet as an electronic document. This contract packet includes:
- Healthcare Provider application
- Charitable Healthcare Provider Contract
- OSDH Certification of Independent Contractor Status
2) Complete the Application Form using Smartsheet
3) Upload the completed contract packet in Smartsheet
4) Ensure that the Clinic Acknowledgement to Maintain Patient Records is Submitted.
At the end of the Smartsheet Submission, an option to be sent a copy of your responses will be available. These should be kept for your records.
Related Topics
Contact Information
Jana Castleberry | Primary Care Office Director
Community Development Services | Oklahoma State Department of Health
w. (405) 426-8624 | c. (405) 243-8333
JanaC@health.ok.gov
Melanie Reese, MSW
Primary Care Office Project Manager
Community Development Services | Oklahoma State Department of Health
w. (405) 426-8656
Melanie.Reese@health.ok.gov
