Rural Health Care Program of the Universal Service Fund
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| Web site |
Link to program web site |
| Type |
Technical assistance |
| Sponsor |
Universal Service Administrative Company |
| Deadline |
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
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| Tagged keywords |
National, Rural, Technology |
| Description |
Health care providers are permitted to apply to receive reduced rates for a variety of telecommunications services under the Rural Health Care Program. Health care providers may seek support for multiple telecommunications services of any bandwidth and for monthly Internet service charges. |
| Amount |
The level of support depends on the HCP's location and the type of service chosen. Health Care Providers are permitted to apply to receive reduced rates for a variety of telecommunication services under the RHCD program. HCPs may seek support for multiple telecommunications services of any bandwidth. Eligible services include Mileage Related Charges, T3 or DS3, T1, Fractional T1, ISDN (BRI and PRI), Frame Relay, ATM, Off-Premise Extension, Satellite Service, Centrex, Dedicated Private Line, Foreign Exchange Line, Network Reconfiguration Service, Direct Inward Dialing, Onetime (Installation) Charges.
As a result of recent Federal Communications Commission (FCC) action, health care participants may be eligible to receive a 25% discount on their monthly Internet service charges. These services are limited to the monthly Internet net access charge, monthly charges for web hosting and web addresses. |
| Geographic Coverage |
Nationwide |
| Eligibility |
Applicants to the program must be rural and public or non-profit health care providers of the types listed below.
- Post-secondary educational institutions offering health care instruction, teaching hospitals, or medical schools
- Community health centers or health centers providing health care to migrants
- Local health departments or agencies including dedicated emergency departments of rural for-profit hospitals
- Community mental health centers
- Not-for-profit hospitals
- Rural health clinics including mobile clinics
- Consortia of HCPs consisting of one or more of the above entities
- Part-time eligible entities located in otherwise ineligible facilities
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| Instructions |
The first step of the application process is for health care providers to complete Form 465 (Description of Services Requested and Certification Form). Form 465 is the means by which HCPs request bids from service providers for services to be used for the provision of health care. Additional steps are described on the program web site.
The Rural Health Care Program hosts a monthly outreach conference call for applicants and service providers on the second Thursday of each month at 2 P.M., EST. Phone Number: 1-800-240-9939, Pass Code: 6772932# |
| Contacts |
800.229.5476
rhcadmin@universalservice.org
Rural Health Care Division
80 S. Jefferson
Whippany, NJ 07981 |
Last updated December 18, 2009
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