Oklahoma Volunteer Charitable Healthcare Provider Program

In 2007, the Oklahoma Legislature requested and passed a measure to assist with increasing the number of Oklahoma health care providers offering their services at a free health clinic. Out of this legislation rules were promulgated by the Oklahoma State Board of Health to establish the Oklahoma Volunteer Charitable Health Care Provider Program (OKVHCP).  It is the mission of the Oklahoma Charitable Health Care Provider Program to provide state tort liability coverage to health care professionals in exchange for their service and participation in the nearly 200 free clinics operated in Oklahoma.

The Volunteer Charitable Health Care Provider Program allows health care providers who provide care to medically indigent persons at a free clinic, or specialty providers rendering care as a result of a referral from a free clinic, to be considered State employees for liability purposes under the Oklahoma Governmental Tort Claims Act (OGTCA) and would be immune from personal liability for professional services when provided on behalf of the free clinic.

This program implements the rules resulting from Title 51 O.S. § 152.2, which: 

• Establish eligibility criteria for charitable health care providers and medically indigent persons,
• Establish procedures for entering into and revoking contracts between the Oklahoma State Department of Health and Charitable health care provider and responsibilities and obligations pursuant to such contracts,
• Eligible Providers: The definition of Charitable Health Care Provider includes any person or facility defined as a health care provider including medical doctors, osteopaths, dentists, registered nurses, physician's assistants, pharmacists, optometrists, licensed practical nurses, chiropractors, podiatrists, physical therapists and assistants, occupational therapists and assistants, respiratory therapists, dental hygienists, phlebotomists, and mental health technicians, and
• Providers must have a current Oklahoma licensure or certification.

For more information and the required forms, please select the Oklahoma Volunteer Charitable Healthcare Provider Program Documents on the left.  

Contact Information:
Cheryl Kemp
Program Grant Consultant
1000 NE 10th Street, Room 511
Oklahoma City 73117-1299
Phone: (405) 271-8427 or 271-9444 x56586
Fax: (405) 271-1225
Email: okvhcp@health.ok.gov