Rural Health Care

Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN) Change Guidance

In certain situations, applicants and service providers can request a change of the Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN). A SPIN change may either be a Corrective SPIN Change or an Operational SPIN Change.

To submit a SPIN change request, the request must clearly identify whether it is a Corrective SPIN Change or an Operational SPIN Change.

Additionally, in situations where the original service provider (as indicated on the Form 466 and/or 466-A) has gone out of business or has filed for bankruptcy protection before processing payment(s) for applicants, USAC may now assist applicants in obtaining such payments through a "Good Samaritan" service provider. Please refer to "Good Samaritan" Solution for Certain Applicants if this applies to you.

Corrective SPIN Change

A corrective SPIN change is a notification to USAC that the SPIN associated with a Funding Request Number (FRN) is not correct. This occurs when either the applicant or USAC made a data entry error, or (2) a change occurred that was not initiated by the applicant (such as a merger of companies). Corrective SPIN changes include the following:

  • Data entry errors made by the applicant or USAC when the Form 466 or 466-A was submitted on paper or by the applicant when the form was submitted online. This includes entering the wrong SPIN on the form because you entered the SPIN for another provider or entering the wrong SPIN because your provider has multiple SPINs and you chose the wrong one.
  • The original service provider has merged with, or been acquired by, another company and the SPIN indicated on the FRN has changed.
  • Other instances when the SPIN indicated on the Form 466 or 466-A changed when such change was not initiated by the applicant.

Click on this link to review the instructions for submitting a Corrective SPIN Change.

Operational SPIN Change

An Operational SPIN change is a request to change the service provider associated with an FRN. The change in service providers is the result of a deliberate decision by the applicant to change the service provider supplying the services for an FRN.

An operational SPIN change may only be requested by the applicant. USAC permits Operational SPIN changes when an applicant certifies that (1) the SPIN change is allowed under its state and local procurement rules, (2) the SPIN change is allowable under the terms of any contract between the applicant and its original service provider, and (3) the applicant has notified its original service provider of its intent to change service providers.

For guidance on an Operational SPIN change - which is a change to the actual service provider - please refer to Operational SPIN Change.

 


Last modified on 3/21/2008