VA Form FL-10-332: Lump-Sum Fee Basis Appointment Guide

VA Form FL-10-332: Lump-Sum Fee Basis Appointment Guide – VA Form FL-10-332 serves as the official letter used by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to appoint qualified consultants and attendings on a lump-sum fee basis. This form letter formalizes intermittent or specialized professional services under Title 38 authority, helping VA facilities meet critical healthcare staffing needs efficiently while complying with federal regulations.

Whether you are a VA Human Resources professional, facility director, chief of staff, or a physician/dentist exploring fee-basis opportunities, understanding this form ensures proper documentation, accurate compensation, and adherence to policy.

What Is VA Form FL-10-332?

VA Form FL-10-332 is titled “Letter of Appointment on a Lump-Sum Fee Basis.” It is a standardized template letter issued by VA medical facilities or Central Office to formally notify and appoint individuals to consultant or attending roles.

The form is a single-page, fillable PDF that includes specific fields for the appointment details. It confirms the individual’s role, the legal authority for the appointment, the service period, and any applicable earnings limitations. The letter also clearly states the lump-sum payment structure and important limitations regarding benefits and creditable service.

This form is distinct from regular civil service or Title 5 appointments. It supports flexible, task- or visit-based engagements commonly used when full-time or part-time hires are not feasible or when specialized expertise is needed on an intermittent basis.

Purpose and Legal Authority

The primary purpose of VA Form FL-10-332 is to document appointments made under 38 U.S.C. § 7405(a)(2) for consultants and attendings on a lump-sum fee basis.

Lump-sum fee-basis appointments are particularly appropriate for:

Intermittent services
Services performed at locations other than the primary VA facility
Situations involving travel immediately before or after service days

VA policy (detailed in VA Handbook 5005) requires or strongly prefers lump-sum fee arrangements in these scenarios. The form ensures transparency about compensation (a flat fee per visit or period) and clarifies that only one fee is payable per day or defined period, regardless of services rendered across multiple VA installations.

Appointments under this authority help VA deliver high-quality patient care by bringing in well-qualified specialists (consultants) and professionals who perform or supervise clinical duties (attendings) without creating traditional employer-employee benefit obligations in every case.

Who Uses VA Form FL-10-332?

VA staff who prepare and issue the form typically include:

Facility directors
Human Resources Officers
Chiefs of Staff (for facility-level actions)
Central Office officials (for certain consultant appointments signed by the Under Secretary for Health or designee)

Individuals appointed via this form are usually:

Physicians, dentists, podiatrists, optometrists, and other health professionals meeting 38 U.S.C. § 7402 requirements and VA qualification standards
Well-qualified consultants providing authoritative opinions or specialized consultation
Attendings performing or supervising patient treatment, teaching, or related professional duties

Appointments are generally time-limited (often aligned with the fiscal year and terminating no later than September 30), with annual review and reappointment processes.

Key Information Included in VA Form FL-10-332

The fillable letter contains these core fields that must be completed for each appointment:

Position Title — Specific consultant or attending role
Assignment — Service, duties, or clinical focus area
Authority — Legal citation (typically 38 U.S.C. § 7405)
Period Covered — Start and end dates (fiscal year or fraction thereof)
Earnings Limitation — Applicable annual compensation cap

The body of the letter notifies the appointee of the lump-sum fee arrangement, states that only one fee applies per day/period, and explains that no civil service retirement or Social Security deductions are withheld and that the service is not creditable for those federal benefit programs.

How to Complete and Use VA Form FL-10-332?

VA staff complete the form after proper credentialing, qualification verification, and approval by the designated official (facility director or higher authority as required). The completed letter is provided to the appointee, with copies distributed to HR, Fiscal Service, and the utilizing clinical service.

The form supports both initial appointments and is referenced alongside reappointment processes. Facilities must ensure compliance with dual-appointment restrictions, conflict-of-interest rules (38 C.F.R. Part 0), and annual pay limitations outlined in VA Handbook 5007.

Proper use of this letter protects both the VA and the appointee by clearly documenting the terms of the fee-basis relationship.

Download the Official VA Form FL-10-332 (Fillable PDF)

Always download the most current version directly from official VA sources to ensure you have the correct fillable template.

Download here:
VA Form FL-10-332 – Letter of Appointment on a Lump-Sum Fee Basis (Fillable PDF)

Printing & filling tips: Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader or a compatible PDF editor. Complete the fillable fields, then print and obtain appropriate signatures. Retain copies in the official credentialing and personnel files as required by VA policy.

Important Notices for Appointees Receiving VA Form FL-10-332

Individuals appointed through this letter should carefully review these key provisions:

Compensation is a lump-sum fee for each defined period of service.
Only one fee is payable for any single day or period, even if services are provided at multiple VA locations.
No deductions are made for civil service retirement or Social Security.
The service performed is not creditable toward Federal Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or Social Security benefits.
The appointment supports VA’s mission of providing quality care to veterans.

Appointees should consult with a tax professional regarding self-employment or other tax implications, as fee-basis roles have specific withholding and reporting requirements.

Fee-basis appointments are governed by comprehensive VA policy. Key trusted resources include:

VA Handbook 5005, Staffing (including updates such as 5005/161) — Covers appointment procedures for consultants and attendings, use of FL-10-332, credentialing requirements, dual-appointment rules, and fiscal year limitations.
Access VA Handbook 5005 updates on va.gov
VA Handbook 5007, Pay Administration (Part II, Appendix F and related chapters) — Details compensation rules for consultants and attendings on lump-sum fee basis, fee-setting considerations, and annual limitations.
Search the VA Publications site for the latest version: VA Publications – Handbooks
38 U.S.C. § 7405 — Statutory authority for appointments without regard to certain civil service restrictions.
View 38 U.S.C. § 7405
VA Forms main page — Central location for all current VA forms.
Browse all VA Forms
VHA credentialing and privileging directives (e.g., VHA Directive 1100.20 and related handbooks) — Required before issuing appointments.

These official sources provide the most current guidance. Always verify the latest versions on va.gov.

Fee-basis consultant and attending appointments are typically reviewed annually. Reappointments for lump-sum fee-basis roles often use the related FL 10-332a, Letter of Reappointment on a Lump-Sum Fee-Basis, which may be signed at the facility level (director, chief of staff, or HR Officer) and can be processed with automation support in some cases.

Facilities should initiate reappointment actions well before the September 30 termination date to avoid gaps in coverage.

Best Practices for VA Facilities Using Lump-Sum Fee-Basis Appointments

Conduct thorough credentialing and primary source verification before issuing the letter.
Clearly define the specific assignment and expected periods of service in the form fields.
Coordinate with Fiscal Service early to ensure proper payment processing and compliance with earnings limitations.
Document justification for fee-basis use versus other appointment types.
Monitor dual-appointment restrictions carefully — only one compensable visit/fee per day is permitted across VA.
Maintain complete files including the signed FL-10-332, credentialing documents, and any required approvals.

Following these practices helps facilities remain compliant while effectively supplementing clinical expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions About VA Form FL-10-332 and Lump-Sum Fee Basis

Is VA Form FL-10-332 still current?
Yes. Although the form revision date shown is August 2007 (R), it continues to be referenced in current VA Handbook 5005 updates (including 2024 issuances) for consultant and attending appointments.

Can full-time VA employees be appointed on a lump-sum fee basis at another facility?
Under specific conditions and with approvals, yes — facility directors may appoint full-time employees from other VA facilities on a lump-sum fee basis when criteria in VA Handbook 5005 are met and conflict-of-interest rules are satisfied.

Do appointees receive federal benefits?
Generally, fee-basis appointees under this authority do not receive traditional civil service retirement, leave, or health insurance benefits through this appointment. The form explicitly notes the lack of retirement and Social Security crediting.

Where do I submit the completed form?
The signed original goes to the appointee. Copies are retained by HR, Fiscal, and the clinical service. No central submission to VA Central Office is typically required unless it is a Central Office consultant appointment.

For deeper understanding or related needs, explore these official resources:

VA Handbook 5005 full series on staffing and appointments
VA Handbook 5007 for detailed pay administration rules
VHA forms library for other appointment and credentialing documents (e.g., application forms such as VA Form 10-2850 series)
VA Office of Human Resources Management publications

VA Form FL-10-332 remains an important tool for maintaining flexible, high-quality healthcare staffing across the Veterans Health Administration. By using the official fillable PDF and following current handbook guidance, VA facilities can ensure compliant and effective lump-sum fee-basis appointments that directly support veteran care.

For the most up-to-date information, always start at official VA websites and consult your local HR or Regional Counsel when questions arise about specific appointments.