The Rural Health Care program provides funding to eligible health care providers for telecommunications services, including broadband, necessary for the provision of health care. The goal of the program is to improve the quality of health care available to patients in rural communities by ensuring that eligible health care providers have access to affordable telecommunications services.

The program provides discounts on the purchase of telecommunications services by eligible rural health care providers. Paid for by the Universal Service Fund, these discounts result in rates for service that are nearly the same as those in urban areas, where telecommunications rates typically are lower. Funding is capped at $400 million annually.

To provide broadband networks in rural areas where service is lacking, the Commission launched the Rural Health Care Pilot Program, which provides funding for up to 85 percent of the costs associated with: (1) the construction of a state or regional broadband network and the advanced telecommunications and information services provided over that network; (2) connecting to Internet 2 or National LambdaRail (NLR); and (3) connecting to the public Internet.

The Commission issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on July 15, 2010, regarding reforms to the Rural Health Care Support Mechanism. See 2010 NPRM Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

HEADLINES

• Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). Bureau seeks comment on a request for review filed by Luce-Mackinac-Alger-Schoolcraft District Health Department (LMAS) seeking reversal of a USAC decision denying LMAS’s request for Funding Year 2010 rural health care support. LMAS also requests that the Commission grant it a waiver of the FCC Form 466 filing deadline for Funding Year 2010. LMAS argues that it failed to file its 2010 Form 466 due to an administrative oversight and that it did not violate any substantive rules. DA 12-1403(8/27/12) Word | PDF
  
  
• Staff Report (WC Docket No. 02-60). In this Staff Report, the Wireline Competition Bureau describes the current status of the Rural Health Care Pilot Program, key benefits arising from the Pilot Program, and major lessons learned. DA 12-1306(8/13/12) Word | PDF
  
  
• Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request for review filed by ThedaCare Physicians-Shawano Clinic (ThedaCare) seeking reversal of a decision of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) in which USAC denied ThedaCare’s request that USAC recalculate ThedaCare’s Funding Year 2010 rural health care support based on corrected rural and urban rates. DA 12-1306(8/08/12) Word | PDF
  
  
• Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Network Services Solutions, L.L.C. (NSS) for a waiver of section 54.611 of the Commission’s rules. That section requires that the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) reimburse any monies due a carrier from the universal service rural health care support mechanism only after an offset is credited against that carrier’s universal service support obligations. NSS also requests that the Commission grant an expedited stay of USAC’s decision, allowing NSS to continue to receive bi-monthly rural health care support disbursements pending the Commission’s review of the instant waiver request. DA 12-1230(7/31/12) Word | PDF
  
  
• Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request for review filed by Providence Seward Medical and Care Center (Providence Seward) seeking reversal of a decision of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) in which USAC reduced Providence Seward's funding requests for Funding Year 2010 under the rural health care support mechanism. Providence Seward argues that USAC erroneously applied a mileage-based charge in calculating Providence Seward’s universal service support and that Providence Seward has been unfairly prejudiced by delays in USAC’s determinations. DA 12-1229(7/31/12) Word | PDF
  
  
• Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). In this Public Notice, the Wireline Competition Bureau seeks to develop a more focused and comprehensive record in several areas in the pending Rural Health Care reform rulemaking proceeding, particularly with regard to the proposed Broadband Services Program. DA 12-1166(7/19/12) Word | PDF
  
  
• Order (WC Docket No. 02-60). In this order, we maintain support on a limited, interim, fiscally responsible basis for specific Rural Health Care Pilot Program (Pilot Program) participants that have exhausted their funding this year or will exhaust such funding during funding year 2012. FCC 12-74(7/6/12) Word | PDF
  Commissioner McDowell Statement: Word | PDF
  Commissioner Clyburn Statement: Word | PDF
  
  
• Order (WC Docket No. 02-60). In this order, we grant the requests filed by Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation (YKHC) and GCI Communication Corp. (GCI) seeking review of decisions by the Rural Health Care Division of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC or the Administrator). USAC denied portions of 38 Funding Year (FY) 2008 requests for support under the federal rural health care universal service support mechanism because it determined the services for which YKHC sought support were not necessary for the provision of health care until YKHC installed specific equipment. Upon review of the record before us, we find that USAC erred in its decision, and we therefore remand YKHC’s application to USAC for further processing consistent with this order. DA 12-720(5/9/12) Word | PDF
  
  
• Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) seeks comment on a request filed by the Texas Health Information Network Collaborative (TxHINC) for a 120 day extension of the June 30, 2012, universal service Rural Health Care Pilot Program funding commitment deadline for projects to choose vendors and request funding commitment letters from the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). TxHINC explains that due to circumstances unique to the state of Texas, it has been delayed in choosing vendors and submitting funding requests to USAC. TxHINC requests the Bureau extend TxHINC’s funding commitment deadline until October 30, 2012. DA 12-544(4/6/12) Word | PDF
  
  
• Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) seeks comment on whether to fund Rural Health Care Pilot Program (Pilot Program) participants who will exhaust funding allocated to them before or during funding year 2012 (July 1, 2012-June 30, 2013). This funding would maintain support for qualifying Pilot Program participants, on an interim basis, during the 2012 funding year to provide time to establish a process to transition them into the permanent Rural Health Care support mechanism (RHC support mechanism). To support these transitioning Pilot Program participants, the funds that were previously designated for projects that withdrew from the Program or otherwise failed to meet the June 30, 2011, deadline could be used without increasing overall demand. DA 12-273(2/27/12) Word | PDF
  
  

• Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). In this public notice, the Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment regarding a request for review of a USAC decision. DA 11-2016(12/19/11) Word | PDF
  
  

• Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). In this public notice, the Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment regarding a request for review of a USAC decision that reduced rural health care support to Northeast Montana Health Services. DA 11-2017(12/19/11) Word | PDF
  
  

• Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request for review filed by Providence Seward Medical and Care Center seeking reversal of decisions of USAC, in which USAC reduced Providence Seward's funding requests for Funding Year 2009 under the rural health care support mechanism. DA 11-1762(10/21/11) Word | PDF
  
  

• Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request filed by Horizon Health Care, Inc. (Horizon) seeking review of a decision of the USAC in which USAC determined that Horizon's administrative office is not a health care provider under section 54.601(1) of the Commission's rules and is not eligible to receive benefits under the Rural Health Care Pilot Program. DA 11-1761(10/21/11) Word | PDF
  
  

• Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request filed by Annette Island Service Unit seeking a waiver of the rural health care FCC Form 466 filing deadline. DA 11-1760(10/21/11) Word | PDF
  
  

• Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). On July 7, 2011, Richmond Connections, Inc. (Richmond) requested a waiver of section 54.611 of the Commission’s rules, which requires that the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) reimburse any monies due to a carrier from the universal service rural health care support mechanism only after an offset is credited against that carrier’s universal service support obligations. DA 11-1206(7/18/11) Word | PDF
  
  

• Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request for review filed by AT&T Corp. (AT&T) seeking reversal of a Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) commitment adjustment recovery action against AT&T. DA 11-1204(7/18/11) Word | PDF
  
  

• Order and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (WC Docket No. 02-60). In this order, the Commission adopts an interim rule permitting health care providers that are located in a “rural area” under the definition used by the FCC prior to July 1, 2005, and that have received a funding commitment from the universal service rural health care program prior to July 1, 2005, to continue to be treated as if they are located in “rural” areas for purposes of determining eligibility for all universal service rural health care programs. In the NPRM, the Commission seeks comment on whether to make such “grandfathered” providers permanently eligible for discounted services under the rural health care program. FCC 11-101(5/21/11) Word | PDF
  
  

• Order (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau extends by one year, to June 30, 2012, the deadline for participants in the Pilot Program to choose a vendor and request funding commitments from the USAC. The Wireline Competition Bureau also extends by one year the invoice deadline for Pilot Program participants. DA 11-819(5/3/11) Word | PDF
  
  

• Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Kodiak Area Native Association (KANA), seeking reversal of Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) decisions denying rural health care universal service support for portions of certain funding requests for six KANA facilities. DA 11-706(4/18/11) Word | PDF
  
  

• Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request for review filed by Copper River Native Association (Copper River), seeking reversal of Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) decisions denying rural health care universal service support to portions of certain funding requests for four health clinics because Copper River violated the Commission’s competitive bidding rules. DA 11-705(4/18/11) Word | PDF
  
  

• Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) seeks comment on a request filed by the California Telehealth Network (CTN) and the Palmetto State Providers Network (PSPN) for additional funding under the Rural Health Care Pilot Program (Pilot Program). DA 11-529(3/21/11) Word | PDF
  
  

• Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) seeks comment on a request filed by the Western New York Rural Area Health Education Center (R-AHEC) for additional funding under the Rural Health Care Pilot Program (Pilot Program). DA 11-484(3/11/11) Word | PDF
  
  

• Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment for waiver of the Rural Health Care Pilot Program Five Year Invoicing Deadline. DA 11-336(2/22/11) Word | PDF
  
  

• Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request by MiCTA for waiver of the Rural Health Care Program rules. DA 11-332(2/18/11) Word | PDF
  
  

• Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) seeks comment on a request filed by the Southwest Telehealth Access Grid (SWTAG) for additional funding under the Rural Health Care Pilot Program (Pilot Program). DA 11-256(2/10/11) Word | PDF
  
  

• Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). WCB Provides Guidance on Procedural Treatment of Additional Requests for Extension of the June 30, 2011 Deadline for Requesting Funding Commitments under the Universal Service Rural Health Care Pilot Program. DA 11-172(1/28/11) Word | PDF
  
  

• Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) seeks comment on a request filed by the Health Information Exchange of Montana (HIEM) for additional funding under the Rural Health Care Pilot Program (Pilot Program). DA 11-95(1/19/11) Word | PDF
  
  

• Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on Oregon Health Network Request for additional funding under the Rural Health Care Pilot Program. DA 10-2415(12/28/10) Word | PDF
  
  
• Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on the Michigan Public Health Institute’s request for waiver of the five-year invoicing period under the universal service Rural Health Care Pilot Program. DA 10-2334(12/9/10) Word | PDF
  
  
• Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request filed by the Indiana Telehealth Network for an extension of the June 30, 2011 deadline for participants in the universal service Rural Health Care Pilot Program to select a vendor and request funding commitment letters from the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). DA 10-2297(12/6/10) Word | PDF
  
  
• Order (WC Docket No. 02-60). In this order, we grant a request for review of a decision by the Universal Service Administrative Company, denying funding for discounted services under the Rural Health Care universal service support mechanism to the Portland Area Indian Health Service. DA 10-1712(9/13/10) Word | PDF
  
  
• Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation (YKHC), seeking reversal of Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) decisions denying rural health universal service support for portions of certain funding requests for 36 YKHC facilities. DA 10-1646(8/27/10) Word | PDF
  
  
• Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a petition filed by General Communications, Inc. (GCI), seeking reversal of Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) decisions denying rural health universal service support for portions of certain funding requests for Funding Year 2008. DA 10-1645(8/27/10) Word | PDF
  
  
• Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). Seeks comment on a Petition of the Nebraska Public Service Commission to permanently grandfather those health care providers who were eligible for universal service support under the Commission’s definition of “rural” prior to the Second Report and Order, but would no longer be eligible for universal service support after June 30, 2011. DA 10-1516(8/13/10) Word | PDF
  
  
• Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). Comments are due by September 8, 2010, and reply comments are due by September 23, 2010, for the Rural Health Care NPRM released by the Commission on July 15, 2010. DA 10-1454(8/9/10) Word | PDF
  
  
• Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (WC Docket No. 02-60). FCC seeks comment on reforms to the Universal Service Rural Health Care Fund to expand the reach and use of broadband connectivity by health care providers throughout the nation. FCC 10-125(7/15/10) Word | PDF
  
  
• Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). On June 4, 2010, Copper River Native Association (CRNA) filed a request for review of decisions of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), in which USAC denied funding to four health care clinics for more than three weeks in Funding Year 2008 because CRNA did not submit its competitive bid 28 days prior to the selection of its vendor as required under the Commission’s rules. DA 10-1121(6/23/10) Word | PDF
  
  
• Order (WC Docket No. 02-60). Granted a request by Action Communications, Inc. (Action) for a waiver of section 54.611 of the Commission’s rules. Found that Action has demonstrated that good cause exists to waive the rule because Action has provided evidence that, absent waiver of the rule, it will be unable to sustain its operations and will be unable to provide discounted telecommunications services to the rural health care providers it serves. DA 10-1121(6/23/10) Word | PDF
  
  
• Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). In this Public Notice, the Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on Southwest Alabama Community Mental Health (SWAMH) request for review of a decision of the Universal Services Administrative Company (USAC) in which USAC determined that SWAMH’s administrative office is not a health care provider under section 54.601(1) of the Commission’s rules and is not eligible to receive benefits under the Rural Health Care Pilot Program. DA 10-1056 (6/10/10) Word | PDF
  
  
• Order (WC Docket No. 02-60). WCB grants Bradford Regional Medical Center's request for reversal of a USAC decision denying funding for discounted services under the rural health care universal service support mechanism. In the draft order, we waive section 54.623(c)(3) of the Commission’s rules, which establishes the filing deadline for all required forms under the rural health care universal service support mechanism. DA 10-1022 (6/4/10) Word | PDF
  
  
• Order (WC Docket No. 02-60). WCB denies a request for review of a USAC decion to deny funding under the RHC program to Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation (Tuba City). In the draft, we find that after changing service providers, Tuba City failed to timely submit a new FCC Form 466 before the June 30 filing deadline. Note, that the June 30 deadline was still codified in the Commission rules for funding year 2004. DA 10-724 (4/29/10) Word | PDF
  
  
• Order (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau extends by one year, to June 30, 2011, the deadline for participants in the Rural Health Care Pilot Program to select a vendor and request a funding commitment from the USAC. DA 10-263 (2/18/10) Word | PDF
  
  

• Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60).WCB provides notice that requests to extend the June 30, 2010 RHCPP deadline, filed after the Bureau issued a public notice seeking comments on the North Carolina extension request, will be treated as ex parte comments on the pending proceeding. DA 09-2609 (12/22/09) Word | PDF
  
  
• Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). Comments sought on the health care delivery elements of the national broadband plan. The notice also seeks input relating to the universal service rural health care support mechanism and the rural health care Pilot Program, specifically as such programs may assist in the deployment and adoption of broadband services. Comments are due December 4, 2009. DA 09-2413 (11/12/09) Word | PDF
  
  
• Public Notice (WC Docket No. 06-122). North Carolina Telehealth Network: Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request filed by the North Carolina TeleHealth Network for an extension of the June 30, 2010 deadline to file funding commitment requests under the universal service Rural Health Care Pilot Program. Comments are due December 2, 2009 and reply comments are due December 17, 2009. DA 09-2362 (11/2/09) Word | PDF
  
  
• Public Notice (WC Docket No. 06-122). Action Communications, Inc.: Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment a petition filed by Action Communications, Inc. (Action) for a waiver of section 54.611 of the Commission's rules, which requires USAC to reimburse any monies due a carrier from the universal service rural health care mechanism only after an offset is credited against that carrier's universal service obligations. Action also requests that the Commission grant an expedited stay of USAC's decision which would allow Action to continue to receive monthly rural health care support disbursements pending the Commission's review of the instant waiver request. Comments are due November 16, 2009 and reply comments are due November 23, 2009. DA 09-2356 (11/2/09) Word | PDF
  
  
• Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). Rural Health Care Pilot Program quarterly reports:  In this Public Notice, WCB reminds Rural Health Care Pilot Program participants that quarterly reports are due October 30.  In addition, we remind participants of specific information which must be included in the reports. DA 09-2124 (9/28/09) Word | PDF
  
  
• Order (WC Docket No. 02-60). TeleQuality Communications, Inc.: WCB grants a request by TeleQuality Communications, Inc. (TeleQuality) to waive section 54.611 of the Commission’s rules concerning reimbursement for services provided under the universal service rural health care support mechanism. We find that TeleQuality has demonstrated that good cause exists to waive this rule because, absent waiver, TeleQuality will be unable to sustain its operations and will be unable to provide discounted telecommunications services to the rural health care providers it serves. In this order, WCB also directs USAC to make an initial reimbursement payment no later than 10 calendar days from release of this order to TeleQuality for the current rural health care support payments to which it is entitled without deducting any universal service contributions that TeleQuality may owe. USAC shall also remit to TeleQuality any additional subsequent rural health care payments on a bi-monthly basis. DA 09-1807 (8/13/09) Word | PDF
  
  
• Order (WC Docket No. 02-60). Juniata Valley Network and Pennsylvania Mountains Healthcare Alliance: The Wireline Competition Bureau grants a merger request from two participants in the Rural Health Care Pilot Program, the Juniata Valley Network (JVN) and Pennsylvania Mountains Healthcare Alliance and its designated agent, Pennsylvania Mountains Healthcare Resource Development (collectively PMHA). DA 09-1782 (8/12/09) Word | PDF
  
  
• Order (WC Docket No. 02-60). North Carolina TeleHealth Network, Albemarle Health, Western Carolina University, and University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina: The Wireline Competition Bureau grants a merger request from four participants in the Rural Health Care Pilot Program, NCTN, Albemarle, WCB and UHS, to merge their respective Pilot Program projects and designate NCTN as the successor to Albemarle, WCU, and UHS. DA 09-1696 (7/31/09) Word | PDF
  
  
• Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request by TeleQuality Communications, seeking a waiver of section 54.611 of the Commission’s rules, which requires that USAC reimburse any monies due a carrier from the universal service rural health care support mechanism only after an offset is credited against that carrier’s universal service support obligations. TeleQuality also requests that the Commission grant an expedited stay of USAC’s decision, allowing TeleQuality to continue to receive bi-monthly rural health care support disbursements pending the Commission’s review of the instant waiver request. Comments are due June 19, 2009 and reply comments are due June 26, 2009. DA 09-1252 (6/5/09). Word | PDF
  
  
• Public Notice (WC Docket No. 06-122). Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on requests for review filed by Verizon and Hospital Network Management, seeing reversal of USAC’s decision to seek recovery from Verizon of universal service rural health care funds relating to services it performed for HNM. Comments are due July 6, 2009 and reply comments are due July 20, 2009. DA 09-1265 (6/5/09) Word | PDF
  
  
• Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). Rural Health Care Pilot Program North Carolina Merger: WCB seeks comment on a request to merge four participants in the universal service Rural Health Care Pilot Program: the North Carolina TeleHealth Network (NCTN); Albemarle Health (Albemarle); Western Carolina University (WCU); and University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina (UHS). Comments are due June 19, 2009 and reply comments are due June 26, 2009. DA 09-1246 (6/5/09) Word | PDF
  
  
• Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). Rural Health Care Pilot Program Pennsylvania Merger: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request to merge two participants in the universal service Rural Health Care Pilot Program, Juniata Valley Network and Pennsylvania Mountains Healthcare Resource Development. Comments are due May 20, 2009 and reply comments are due May 27, 2009. DA 09-1018 (5/6/09) Word | PDF
  
  
• Order (WC Docket No. 02-60). Rural Health Care Pilot Program Texas Projects Merger: In this order, the Wireline Competition Bureau grants a request from two participants in the Rural Health Care Pilot Program, the Texas Healthcare Network (THN) and the Texas Health Information Network Collaborative (THINC), to merge their respective Pilot Program projects and designate THINC as the successor to THN’s Pilot Program project. DA 09-838 (4/16/09) Word | PDF
  
  
• Public Notice (WC Docket No. 02-60). Texas Healthcare Network and Texas Health Information Network Collaborative: The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a request to merge two participants in the universal service Rural Health Care Pilot Program, Texas Healthcare Network (THN) and Texas Health Information Network Collaborative (THINC). Comments are due by March 20, 2009 and reply comments are due by March 24, 2009. DA 09-578 (3/13/09) Word | PDF