Rural Health Care

Operational SPIN Change

Operational SPIN Change

An Operational SPIN change is a request to change the service provider associated with a Funding Request Number (FRN). The change in service providers is the result of a deliberate decision by the applicant to change the service provider supplying the services for an FRN.

For guidance on a Corrective SPIN change - which is a change to the actual service provider - please refer to Corrective SPIN Change.

How to Request an Operational SPIN Change

An Operational SPIN change may only be requested by the applicant. USAC permits Operational SPIN changes when an applicant certifies that (1) the SPIN change is allowed under its state and local procurement rules, (2) the SPIN change is allowable under the terms of any contract between the applicant and its original service provider, and (3) the applicant has notified its original service provider of its intent to change service providers.

1. Operational SPIN changes may be requested and approved for tariffed and month-to-month services as well as for contract services.

USAC will consider SPIN change requests for tariffed and month-to-month services as well as for contract services. For tariffed and month-to-month services, there would be no issue of the change being permitted under the terms of the contract; however, compliance with state and local procurement rules and notification to the service provider are required. Since timing of payments may be a critical issue in these instances, please read When to file SPIN change requests below.

2. Operational SPIN change request deadlines.

A SPIN change request for a funding request (FRN) should be filed with USAC as soon as the HCP is made aware of the necessity of filing a request for an Operational SPIN change. Once the HCP Support Schedule has been sent to the original service provider, they can begin invoicing USAC for payment. USAC must receive notification of the Operational SPIN change as soon as the HCP becomes aware of the need to change the SPIN.

3. Changes of SPIN in multi-year contracts are conditionally eligible.

If the applicant has a multi-year contract with the service provider from which it wishes to switch, it may switch to a multi-year contract with a new service provider without posting a new FCC Form 465 and waiting at least 28 days. The multi-year contract with the new service provider must have an expiration date no later than the original contract. Neither contract should be longer than any term for the contract described in the original Form 465 or the RFP under which the original service provider was selected.

4. When to file Operational SPIN change requests.

USAC is concerned about its ability to pay the appropriate service provider depending on when service provider changes are made and when SPIN change requests are received and approved. If a service provider is changed before USAC approves a SPIN change request, there is a possibility that USAC will inadvertently pay the old service provider and that payment would be deducted from the funding commitment.

To minimize that possibility, APPLICANTS SHOULD NOTIFY USAC OF THEIR INTENT TO CHANGE SERVICE PROVIDERS AS SOON AS THE DECISION IS MADE AND SHOULD ADVISE USAC OF THE PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE CHANGE. IF THE ENTIRE YEAR'S FUNDING WILL BE CHANGED TO A DIFFERENT SPIN, THE APPLICANT SHOULD NOT SUBMIT A FCC FORM 467 UNTIL THE SPIN CHANGE IS MADE. Unless the applicant indicates an effective date in the future or upon approval by USAC, we will make no additional payments on the FRN until the SPIN change is reviewed and either (1) approved and the SPIN is changed, or (2) denied and USAC verifies that additional invoices are for services actually rendered to the applicant by the original service provider.

5. How to apply for an Operational SPIN change.

You can request an Operational SPIN Change by indicating the service provider name and SPIN indicated on the Funding Commitment Decision Letter (FCDL) and the correct service provider name/SPIN to be reflected on our records.

Operational SPIN change requests must be in writing (emails are accepted). You must supply the following information in your request.

  1. Health Care Provider Number
  2. Applicant Name
  3. Funding Year
  4. Funding Request Number (FRN)
  5. Form 466 or 466-A Packet ID #
  6. Health Care Provider Name
  7. Applicant Contact
  8. Applicant Phone
  9. Applicant E-mail address
  10. Original SPIN
  11. Original Service Provider
  12. Original Service Provider Contact
  13. Original Service Provider Phone
  14. Original Service Provider E-mail address
  15. Original Billing Account Number
  16. New SPIN
  17. New Service Provider
  18. New Service Provider Contact
  19. New Service Provider Phone
  20. New Service Provider E-mail address
  21. New Billing Account Number
  22. Has the original service provider supplied any services under this funding request? If yes, you must supply the following information.

    For recurring services:

    a.

    MONTHLY RURAL RATE PER MONTH/
    MONTHLY RATE CHARGE for original service provider

    Do not provide the total pre-discount amount for the funding year or the total funding commitment. Only provide the monthly amount.

    b.

    MONTHLY RURAL RATE PER MONTH/
    MONTHLY RATE CHARGE for new service provider

    Neither a. nor b. may be greater the Item 33 on Form 466 OR Item 29 on Form 466-A.

    c.

    EFFECTIVE DATE OF CHANGE

    The date must be expressed as the first day of the month (e.g., October 1, 2003 not October 20, 2003).

    d.

    LAST DAY OF SERVICE for new service provider

    		  


    For non-recurring services:

    a.

    ONE-TIME RURAL RATE CHARGE/INSTALLATION CHARGE
    for original service provider

    Do not provide the total pre-discount amount for the funding year or the total funding commitment. Only provide the monthly amount.

    b.

    ONE-TIME RURAL RATE CHARGE/INSTALLATION CHARGE
    for new service provider

    The sum of a. and b. may be greater the Item 40 on Form 466 OR Item 28 on Form 466-A.

    c.

    EFFECTIVE DATE OF CHANGE

    The date must be expressed as the first day of the month (e.g., October 1, 2003 not October 20, 2003).

    d.

    LAST DAY OF SERVICE for new service provider

    		  


  23. The following certification: "I certify that (1) all SPIN changes requested in this letter are allowed under all applicable state and local procurement rules, (2) the SPIN changes are allowable under the terms of the contract, if any, between the applicant and its original service provider, and (3) the applicant has notified its original service provider of its intent to change service providers."

    OR

    In cases where the original provider is no longer in business, you may use the following certification instead: "I certify that (1) all SPIN changes requested in this letter are allowed under all applicable state and local procurement rules, (2) the SPIN changes are allowable under the terms of the contract, if any, between the applicant and its original service provider, and (3) the applicant attempted to notify its original service provider of its intent to change service providers but could not because the service provider is not available for contact."

The request may be sent by regular e-mail, fax, or mail.

You may submit your letter via e-mail. The subject line of the e-mail should include the words "Operational SPIN Change HCP #_________."

You may submit your letter by fax: (973) 599-6514. Please include a fax cover page to ATTN: Operational SPIN Change HCP #______ and indicate the number of pages you are faxing.

You may submit your letter on paper by mail or express delivery service. The letter should be labeled "Operational SPIN Change HCP # _______" and sent to:

Rural Health Care Division - USAC
100 S. Jefferson Road
Whippany, NJ 07981


Last modified on 3/25/2008