USACRural Health CareAdditional Program GuidanceAuthorizationsConsultants & Third Parties
Third-Party Authorization

Third-Party Authorization

If you are a health care provider (HCP) participating in the Healthcare Connect Fund (HCF) or Telecommunications (Telecom) Program, and a consultant or other third party (i.e., anyone who is not employed by the HCP) will file forms on behalf of your site, you will need to file a third-party authorization (TPA). A TPA provides written authorization to the third party to complete and submit forms on behalf of the HCP or consortium in the HCF Program or Telecom Program. For more information on how to submit a TPA, use the RHC Connect User Guide – Third-Party Authorization.

Sample TPAs:

  • HCF Individual and Telecom Program Applicants
    • This authorization is only for purpose of allowing the third party to file HCF individual and Telecom Program forms for the HCP(s) listed in this template.
  • HCF Consortia Applicants (Consortium HCP NUMBER(S) ONLY*)
    • This authorization is only for purpose of allowing the third party to file HCF Program consortia level forms for the consortium HCP listed in this template.
  • HCF Consortia Applicants Owning and Operating Member Sites
    • This authorization is for the purpose of allowing the third party to file BOTH consortium level forms and Healthcare Connect Fund (HCF) Program individual level forms for the consortium’s HCP member site(s) listed in this template.
    • Consortium leader must also have submitted to USAC a letter of exemption (LOE) PRIOR* to submitting this TPA, confirming the consortium owns and operates the member sites and is exempt from requiring authorization to act on their behalf.

*Consultants must file a TPA for the consortium HCP in order to file the LOE.

Requirements:

A TPA must include:

  • The name and contact information of the third party(ies) authorized to submit forms on behalf of the HCP.
  • A statement by the third party that the HCP or Consortium Leader accepts any and all potential liability for applicable RHC program rule violations and any errors, omissions, or misrepresentations on the forms or documents submitted by the third party.
  • Specific timeframe the TPA covers (start date and end date)
  • Signed by an officer, director, or authorized employee of the HCP or the Consortium Leader
  • The signature date.
  • A list of HCP sites the TPA covers, including the HCP number, name, and address for each site.

Recommendations

  • The duration of the authorization is at the discretion of the HCP and the third party, however USAC recommends that the TPA cover a minimum of twelve months or a period long enough to include the invoice filing deadline.
  • Identify, if applicable, which FCC forms the TPA covers.

Things to Know

  • A third party is defined as any individual who is not an officer, director, or authorized employee of the HCP or Consortium Leader, and may include a consultant, contractor, or attorney.
  • If a third party files the FCC Form 460 (Eligibility and Registration Form), they must upload the TPA at the time of the filing.

The material on these webpages is provided for general information only and should not be relied upon or used as the sole basis for making decisions without consulting the RHC program rules, orders, and other primary sources of information. Applicants and service providers are ultimately responsible for knowing and complying with all RHC program rules and procedures.

Additional Resources