Rural Health Care
About Rural Health Care:
- Overview of the Program
- Overview of the Process
- Monthly Conference Calls
- Individual Outreach
- Understanding Audits
- Training Events
- Filing Appeals
- FCC Links
- Rural Health Care Pilot Program
Rural Health Care Tools:
Rural Health Care Terminology
Following is a brief list of terms in the rough order in which you may come across them during the application process:
Funding Year: Funding Years begin July 1 and end June 30 of the following year. For example, FY2009 began July 1, 2009 and ended June 30, 2010.
Window Open: The date in which a Health Care Provider (HCP) is first able to post an FCC Form 465 for the coming Fund Year. Window Open usually occurs sometime in early April before the beginning of the coming Fund Year (July 1). This allows HCPs to submit their Form 465 at least 28 days prior to the open of the Fund Year, thus ensuring a full year's support.
Window Close: The last date in which an applicant can submit an FCC Form 466 in order to receive support for the current Fund Year. Window Close is June 30 of each year, which is also the last day of the Fund Year.
E-Certification (E-Cert): The process that allows HCPs to certify and submit forms online, eliminating the need for a paper form with an original signature.
Maximum Allowable Distance (MAD): The distance from the health care provider, in whole miles, to the far side of the largest city in the HCP's state. The MAD is the maximum distance for which USAC will support a telecommunications service. The MAD is listed on the FCC Form 465 posted on the USAC website and is calculated by USAC.
Evergreen Contracts: A contract that has been reviewed and approved by USAC is considered "evergreen" if the following conditions are met:
a) Both parties to the contract have signed and dated the agreement
b) The type and terms of service are specified
c) The duration is specified
HCPs that present such contracts will be considered to have "evergreen" status, meaning that for the life of the contract (without any optional extension), they need not re-compete the service (by posting an FCC Form 465), and may annually apply for support of the contracted service by filing theForm 466 and/or Form 466-A.
If an HCP submits a contract that does not meet these FCC requirements for a contract, it is considered to have month-to-month status and must post an FCC Form 465 and select the most cost-effective service and service provider each year.
28-day Posting Period: This is the competitive bidding period that begins when the FCC Form 465 is posted on the USAC website, and allows for service providers to contact health care providers to discuss their service needs and to submit proposals for those needs. An HCP may not sign a contract or enter into an agreement for services before the end of the 28-day posting period -- it must wait until day 29. An HCP that enters into an agreement before completing the 28-day posting requirement will be in violation of the FCC's competitive bidding rules for this program and may not receive support for that Fund Year.
Funding Request Number (FRN): A Funding Request Number is assigned by USAC for each Funding Commitment Letter (FCL).
Funding Commitment Letter (FCL): Letter sent to the HCP (with a copy to the service provider) after USAC approves a "packet" (FCC Form 466 and/or 466-A, and applicable attachments). The FCL notifies the HCP that the service will be supported contingent upon the completion of an FCC Form 467. The letter also estimates the support amount for the funding year based on the number of months the service is expected to be in place. Once an HCP receives the FCL, a Form 467 must be completed and returned to USAC before support begins.
Support Schedule:The document sent from USAC to the HCP and service provider, once the FCC Form 467 has been completed, detailing the monthly recurring support amount. Once the Support Schedule is received, the service provider can begin crediting the HCP's 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 can invoice USAC.
Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN): A unique number assigned by USAC to service providers seeking payment from the Universal Service Fund for participating in universal service support programs.
Billing Account Number (BAN): The account number your service provider has established with you for billing purposes. This will be present only if a Billing Account Number was provided on your FCC Form 466/468 or Form 467.
