Rural Health Care
Supporting healthcare facilities in bringing world class medical care to rural areas through increased connectivity
Upcoming Dates
How It Works
The Rural Health Care program funds two types of services.
You can apply for funding for Voice and Data, Broadband, or both.
Voice and Data
If you need voice and other telecommunication services, you may be eligible for funding through the Telecommunications Program.
Discount Rate: Determined using the urban/rural differential.
Broadband
If you need broadband services, network equipment, etc., you may be eligible for funding through the Healthcare Connect Fund (HCF) Program.
Discount Rate: Flat 65% discount on eligible expenses.
The Process
These steps will help you navigate the process to get funding.
Determine your eligibility
Develop evaluation criteria and request services
Evaluate bids and select a service provider
Submit a funding request
Certify service start and end dates
Work with your service provider to invoice USAC
Announcements
Submit Your FY2026 Request for Services Forms!
Jul 1, 2025
Beginning on July 1, 2025, applicants can start the competitive bidding process for Funding Year (FY) 2026. For the Healthcare Connect Fund (HCF) program, the FCC Form 461 (Request for Services Form) and for the Telecommunications (Telecom) Program the FCC Form 465 (Request for Services Form) may be submitted in RHC Connect along with any other competitive...
Read MoreFCC Announces Availability of Unused Funds to Fully Fund Rural Health Care Program Demand...
Jun 25, 2025
On June 25, 2025, the FCC Wireline Competition Bureau directed USAC to carry forward up to $129.30...
Read MoreRHC Connect Outage Due to System Upgrade: June 13, 2025
Jun 13, 2025
RHC Connect will be unavailable on Friday, June 13, 2025 from 7:00 p.m.- midnight ET due to...
Read MoreNew! Submit Site and Service Substitutions in RHC Connect
Jun 9, 2025
Service substitutions are now available in RHC Connect for Telecommunications (Telecom) Program applicants. SPIN changes (corrective and...
Read More