USACRural Health CareService Provider Process
Post Commitment Actions and Other Considerations

Post Commitment Actions and Other Considerations

There are several actions for service providers that may be required outside of the regular application process, including corrections before or after commitment, invoice and service delivery extensions, and other actions, including appeals, document retention, and obsolete equipment.

Click on each category to learn more.

Health Care Provider (HCP) Post-Commitment Changes

The following Post-Commitment Actions may be taken by the HCP and must be submitted in RHC Connect, the online application platform. Here are the links to access the resources needed to submit these changes:

HCF Program:

Telecom Program:

Service Provider (SP) Post-Commitment Changes

There may be an instance when a correction to an FCC Form 498 is needed. Please be sure that contact information on an FCC Form 498 is correct and current. To update account holders, please submit an FCC Form 498 revision. In additions, the following categories require the service provider to make changes to their FCC Form 498:

Data Entry Errors 

If a service provider or 498 ID/SPIN is incorrectly listed on a Funding Commitment Letter (FCL), the correction requires a SPIN Change. The HCP should initiate a SPIN Change in RHC Connect (see above).This includes situations where the right company was named, but the wrong 498 ID/SPIN associated with that company was indicated. If the original Funding Request Number (FRN) was denied, an FCC Form 498 ID/SPIN correction cannot be made. Instead, denials must be addressed through the appeals process. 

Mergers and Acquisitions 

If a service provider’s 498 ID/SPIN has changed due to the merger of companies or the acquisition of one company by another, the correction requires a SPIN Change post-commitment. The HCP should initiate a SPIN Change in RHC Connect (see above). Generally, if this occurs prior to a funding commitment, the service provider may do this by requesting a global 498 ID/SPIN change. Questions regarding global 498 ID/SPIN changes should be directed to the Customer Service Center at (888) 641-8722. 

Other Instances 

Other instances include when the service provider listed on FCC Form 462 or 466 was changed and the applicant did not initiate the change (such as a bankruptcy). In this case, the HCP should initiate a SPIN in RHC Connect (see above).

Corrections Before Commitment 

Corrective changes can be made while the HCP’s FCC Form 462 or 466 is under review. The HCP should work with their reviewer to change a SPIN prior to a final decision on the funding request.

Certification Required for Post-Commitment Changes  

In both instances, pre-commitment or post-commitment, include the following certification: “I certify that (1) all 498 ID changes requested in this letter are allowed under all applicable state and local procurement rules, (2) the 498 ID 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.” 

In cases where the original provider is no longer in business, you may use the following certification: “I certify that (1) all 498 ID changes requested in this letter are allowed under all applicable state and local procurement rules, (2) the 498 ID 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.” 

Submit to USAC 

Via Email:
The subject line of the email should include the words “Corrective 498 ID Change HCP # ______.” 

Mail or express delivery service:
The letter should include: “Corrective 498 ID Change for HCP # ______,” and should be sent to:
Universal Service Administrative Co.
Attn: Rural Health Care Program
700 12th Street, NW
Suite 900
Washington, DC 20005 

For any other 498 ID changes not noted above, contact RHC-Assist@usac.org or the RHC Customer Service Center at (800) 453-1546 from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday for assistance. Use the RHC Customer Service Center Tip Sheet to learn about what the RHC Customer Service Center can and cannot help you with. 

  • If you disagree with a USAC decision, you or the applicant can file an appeal with USAC within 60 days of the date on the decision letter. Copy the HCP on all appeals.
  • If an invoice has been rejected or payment has been reduced because you made an error, and your deadline to file invoices for the approved FRN has not passed, you can simply submit a new invoice.
  • All RHC program service providers are required to maintain, for a minimum of five (5) years, documentation that demonstrates compliance with the statutory or regulatory requirements for all RHC program purchases of equipment and services.