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
New Form for Telecommunications (Telecom) Program Invoicing
Oct 15, 2024
The FCC Form 469 is the new form for the Telecom Program. Per FCC Order 23-6, the FCC Form 469 is aligned with the FCC Form 463. One key difference is that the service provider will submit the FCC Form 469 in RHC Connect, the applicant will receive an email alerting them of the submission, and the...
Read MoreFCC Waives Certain RHC Program Rules in Response to Hurricane Milton
Oct 15, 2024
On October 9, 2024, the FCC released order DA 24-1059waiving the following Rural Health Care Program...
Read MoreFCC Waives Certain RHC Program Rules in Response to Hurricane Helene
Oct 8, 2024
On October 1, 2024, the FCC released order DA 24-1025waiving the following Rural Health Care Program...
Read MoreRHC Connect Outage Due to System Upgrade: October 6, 2024
Oct 4, 2024
RHC Connect will be unavailable on Sunday, October 6 from 7:00 p.m.- midnight ET due to a...
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