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.

Public or nonprofit HCPs are eligible to receive discounted telecommunications services. Eligible HCPs must also be located in a rural area and fit into one of the eligible categories determined by the FCC. Contact the Customer Service Support Center if you are unsure about eligibility.

Consult the List of Rural Areas on the RHC website.

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.

Rural HCPs must file the following forms:

• FCC Form 465 (Description of Services Requested and Certification Form): certifies that an HCP is eligible and lists which services are being requested;
• FCC Form 466 (Funding Request and Certification Form): informs RHC of which service provider(s) and services the HCP selected and the appropriate tariff or contract pertaining to the service; and
• FCC Form 467 (Connection Certification Form): informs RHC that the service provider has begun to provide services.

FCC Forms (465, 466, and 467) can be completed electronically in My Portal.

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.