FAQs

You can only submit your funding requests during a filing window period. For FY2020, the filing window period will take place from February 1 – June 30, 2020. For more information, view the Funding Year Overview.

In most cases, FCC Forms 465 must be posted on the USAC website for at least 28 days before a health care provider (HCP) may select a service provider. This ensures that service providers interested in providing the service have an opportunity to contact the HCP. After an HCP selects a service provider, the applicant must fill out and submit an FCC Form 466 before a funding commitment can be issued. Once a funding commitment is issued, the HCP submits FCC Form 467 to confirm the Service Start Date. USAC will then arrange for the selected service provider to begin providing the discounted service.

To be eligible for the Rural Health Care Program, your site must be a not for profit or public entity; your site must also be one of the eligible facility types found here: https://www.usac.org/rural-health-care/get-started/; and, your site must be in a rural location as defined by the FCC. If your site is not located in a rural area, it still may be eligible to apply to the HCF Program as part of a consortium

Health care providers (HCPs) can use the Eligible Rural Areas Search Tool to see if they are in an FCC-approved rural area. .

No. An eligible rural HCP may receive support for as many services as it can use for the provision of health care.

For a detailed description, view the Process Overview description.

No. The 1996 Telecom Act states that eligible HCPs are prohibited from reselling supported telecommunications services for money or anything of value. This prohibition against resale does not, however, prohibit an HCP from charging normal fees for health care services, including instruction related to such services rendered via telecommunications purchased through the universal service mechanisms.

In the Telecom Program, HCPs must file:
FCC Form 465 (Description of Services Requested and Certification Form)
FCC Form 466 (Funding Request and Certification Form)
FCC Form 467 (Connection Certification Form)

In the HCF Program, HCPs must file:
FCC Form 460 (Eligibility and Registration Form)
FCC Form 461 (Request for Services Form)
FCC Form 462 (Funding Request Form)
FCC Form 463 (Invoice and Request for Disbursement Form)

To download blank copies of each form, visit the Forms page.

All FCC Forms (460, 461, 452, 463, 465, 466, and 467) must be filed electronically using the RHC Program’s online application management system, My Portal. Your My Portal account is created upon submission of your first eligibility form (FCC Form 460 or Form 465). 

The urban rate is the rate charged by a telecommunications carrier for the same or similar service offered in a city with a population of 50,000 or more in the HCP’s state. View the Urban and Rural Rate Tip Sheet.