Rural Health Care
About Rural Health Care:
- Overview of the Program
- Overview of the Process
- Monthly Conference Calls
- Site Visits
- Understanding Audits
- Filing Appeals
- Rural Health Care Pilot Program
Rural Health Care Tools:
Overview of the Rural Health Care Program Process
Rural health care providers and service providers that participate 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 (Form 465) to request bids from service providers for services to be used for the provision of health care. A separate Form 465 must be completed for each physical location within the consortia that is eligible to receive support.
When a Form 465 is received from a new applicant, USAC confirms eligibility. Once USAC reviews a Form 465 and determines it is complete, it 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 to provide services. The posting date 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 and select 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 providers and services are selected, the health care provider completes and submits the Funding Request & Certification Form (Form 466) and/or an Internet Service Funding Request & Certification Form (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 health care provider a Funding Commitment Letter (FCL) and a copy of the Receipt of Service Confirmation Form (Form 467). A copy of the FCL is also sent to the service provider.
After the service begins from the service provider, the health care provider submits Form 467 to USAC. Form 467 must be submitted in order to receive discounted services. USAC cannot process Form 467 unless a Funding Commitment Letter has been issued.
Once Form 467 is received, reviewed, and approved, USAC will send the health care provider 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 health care provider, the service provider invoices USAC.
