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all individuals reach their highest potential for health
Rural Health Care Program of the Universal Service Fund
The Rural Health Care Program of the Universal Service Fund (USF), which is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), is a support program authorized by Congress and designed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to provide reduced rates to rural health care providers (HCPs) for telecommunications services and Internet access charges related to the use of telemedicine & tele-health. The Rural Health Care Program of the Universal Service Fund makes discounts available to eligible rural health care providers for telecommunication services and monthly Internet service charges. The program is intended to ensure that rural health care providers pay no more for telecommunications in the provision of health care services than their urban counterparts.
Updates
Welcome to the FCC’s Rural Health Care Pilot Program
FCC’s Rural Health Care Pilot Program – Nov 2007 Press Release
Rural Health Care Program Participants
Broadband Telehealth Funds – November 2007 Press Release
Rural Health Care Support Mechanism – September 2006
Monthly Outreach Conference Calls. The Rural Health Care Program hosts calls for applicants and service providers on the second Thursday of each month at 2 P.M., EST. Monthly conference calls are a forum in which applicants and service providers can raise issues and concerns or seek clarification of program rules or requirements. USAC provides an agenda for the calls followed by a general question and answer period.
Regulations and Advocacy
AHA Regulatory Comment Letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding the proposed rule on the Rural Health Care Support Mechanism, March 5, 2004
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), December 24, 2003
FCC Report and Order on Reconsideration, November 17, 2003 (modifies existing rule)
AHA Regulatory Comment Letter, July 1, 2002
Resources
The Rural Health Care Universal Service Support Program, March 2004, AHA overview of the Rural Health Care Universal Service Support Program
Universal Service Application Process, 2004, AHA outlines the steps that must be followed to obtain Universal Service support
Case Example: Avera Health, May 15, 2003 (PowerPoint presentation)
Rural Health Care Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC)