Rural Health Care

Overview of the Rural Health Care Program Process

Rural health care providers and service providers participating in the Rural Health Care Program have certain requirements and responsibilities that must be met in order to receive support in a timely manner. Below is an overview of the process.

All health care providers (HCPs) or consortia of HCPs seeking to participate in the Rural Health Care Program must complete the Description of Services Requested and Certification Form (FCC Form 465) to request bids from service providers for telecommunication services or Internet access used for the provision of health care. A separate FCC Form 465 must be completed for each eligible physical location within the consortium.

When a new applicant submits an FCC Form 465, USAC first confirms eligibility. Once eligibility is confirmed, and USAC determines the Form 465 is complete, the form is posted on the USAC website and a letter is sent to the health care provider to confirm the posting. The posting invites service providers to bid for services requested by the applicant, and starts the 28-day competitive bidding process. All health care providers expecting support must complete the 28-day posting requirement before entering into an agreement to purchase services with a service provider.

A health care provider must consider all bids received during the 28-day competitive bidding period and select the service provider that can provide the most cost-effective method to meet its requirements. The most cost-effective method is defined by the FCC as the method of least cost after consideration of the features, quality of transmission, reliability, and other factors relevant to choosing a method of providing the required services.

To be eligible to receive telecommunications support, the selected carrier must be a "Common Carrier." Any telecommunications service and/or Internet access necessary for the provision of health care is eligible for support, but equipment charges are not eligible for support. All Internet service providers are eligible to participate in the program; however, only the monthly charge is eligible for support.

Once the service provider(s) and services are selected, the HCP should complete and submit the Funding Request & Certification Form (FCC Form 466) and/or an Internet Service Funding Request & Certification Form (FCC Form 466-A). These forms specify the type(s) of service ordered, the cost, the service provider(s), the terms of any service agreements, and certifies that the selections were the most cost-effective offers received.

USAC reviews the Form 466 and/or 466-A packet for accuracy. Upon approval, USAC mails the HCP a Funding Commitment Letter (FCL) and a copy of the Receipt of Service Confirmation Form (FCC Form 467). A copy of the FCL is also sent to the service provider.

After the service begins from the service provider, the HCP must submit an FCC Form 467 to USAC in order to receive discounted services. USAC cannot process an FCC Form 467 unless a Funding Commitment Letter has been issued.

Once the FCC Form 467 is received, reviewed, and approved, USAC will send the HCP and its service provider(s) a health care support schedule. At this point, the service provider can begin crediting the bill with the monthly recurring support amount or issue a check for the discount. As soon as the service provider has issued a credit or check to the HCP, the service provider invoices USAC.

USAC will then credit or reimburse the carrier's Universal Service Fund (USF) account. Those that do not have an active USF account and have not been issued a SPIN number by USAC must fill out an FCC Form 498 and then reimbursement will be issued by check or direct deposit.


Last modified on 8/28/2009