NYC VFC Provider Requirements:
Enrollment & Re-Certification
Provider Eligibility Criteria
In order to join the NYC VFC program, providers must serve children from birth through 18 years of age who fall under any of the following categories:
- Medicaid eligible
- Uninsured
- Underinsured: A child who has commercial (private) health insurance but the coverage does not include vaccines, a child whose insurance covers only selected vaccines (VFC-eligible for non-covered vaccines only), or a child whose insurance caps vaccine coverage at a certain amount. Once that coverage amount is reached, the child is categorized as underinsured
- Native-American or Alaskan Native
- Enrolled in Child Health Plus B (CHPlus B)
Please note that the following children are NOT considered underinsured:
- Children whose insurance covers a portion of the cost of the vaccine but not the full amount. In this case providers should consider renegotiating the contract with the insurance company
- Children whose insurance covers vaccines but have a high deductible and whose deductibles have not been met
In addition to serving VFC eligible populations, providers must NOT be included in the Medicare/Medicaid Restricted and Excluded Individuals or Entities list.
How to Enroll in the VFC Program
- Medical providers download and complete the Provider Agreement (PDF) and New Enrollment Form (PDF)
- Independent pharmacies download and complete the Provider Agreement for Pharmacies (PDF) and Pharmacy New Enrollment Form (PDF)
- Complete the forms, scan them, and e-mail them to nycimmunize@health.nyc.gov. If you cannot e-mail the form, please fax it to (347) 396-2559, attention PQA Unit.
- Once your paper work is processed, you will be contacted by a PQA staff member to schedule a New Enrollment site visit. You will not be able to order vaccine until we conduct a site visit and ensure that your practice meets all storage and handling guidelines.
- You will need to prepare your office and staff for the New Enrollment site visit by reviewing both the administrative requirements of the program and the proper storage and handling guidelines for the vaccines. You can do so by having your physician-in-charge, vaccine coordinator, and back-up vaccine coordinator complete the two required web-based CDC trainings: You Call The Shots: Vaccine Storage and Handling and Vaccines For Children (VFC). Guidance on how to complete trainings post-deadline (PDF).
- If you have any questions, contact the Bureau of Immunization Provider Quality Assurance (PQA) Unit by calling 347-396-2404 or emailing nycimmunize@health.nyc.gov.
How to Re-enroll in the VFC Program
The VFC program requires providers to re-enroll biennially through the CIR Online Registry. Providers will receive notices once the online re-enrollment form is deployed in the CIR Online Registry. Subsequent reminders will be sent to remind providers who have not re-enrolled. It is important that the contact information we have on file for site is up-to-date at all times.
- VFC re-enrollment must be completed online through the NYC Online Registry each year. By completing the re-enrollment process, providers agree to the VFC program requirements listed in the Provider Agreement (PDF) or the Provider Agreement for pharmacies (PDF). After completing the re-enrollment form (PDF), providers will receive a confirmation that the program received the completed form.
- Beginning 2014, the physician-in-charge, vaccine coordinator, and back-up vaccine coordinator at each VFC facility will be required to complete the You Call The Shots: Vaccine Storage and Handling and Vaccines For Children (VFC) web-based training courses and submit certificates of completion as a part of re-enrollment. Guidance on how to complete trainings post-deadline (PDF).
Most of the materials provided in the enrollment package may be downloaded directly from the VFC website. (See the “forms, job aids, and charts" section).