About Rural Health Care:

• Overview of the Program
• Overview of the Process
• Monthly Conference Calls
• Individual Outreach
• Understanding Audits
• Training Events
• Filing Appeals
• Rural Health Care Pilot Program

Rural Health Care Tools:

• Applicant Login
• Latest News
• Required Forms
• Tips and Best Practices
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Glossary of Terms
• Rural Health Care Search Tools
• Changes and Corrections
• Calendar/Reminders
• Program Compliance - Whistleblower Hotline
• Submitting A Complaint
• Submitting Your Feedback

Step 1: Eligible Services

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.

 

Examples of Eligible Telecommunications Services and Charges

Eligible telecommunications services and charges include, but are not limited to:

• ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) 
• Centrex                  
• DSL           
• Ethernet                
• Fiber           
• Fractional T1         
• Frame Relay         
• Internet Access Charges                 
• ISDN        
• Mileage-related Charges
• MPLS       
• NRS – Network Reconfiguration Service
• OC-1        
• OC-3        
• Redundant Circuit              
• Satellite Service
• Telephone Service
• T1
• T3 or DS3

The Rural Health Care Program supports these services up to the maximum allowable distance (MAD). The applicant is responsible for the cost of services beyond the MAD.

 

Examples of Ineligible Telecommunications Equipment and Charges

Telecommunications equipment does not qualify for support under the Rural Health Care Program. The following examples are not eligible:

• Special construction and maintenance charges
• Franchises
• Zone charges
• Surcharges

The Rural Health Care Program does not support the cost of construction or infrastructure build-out for the installation of telecommunications services. For example, if a wall must be removed, a street dug up, or a cable laid, these costs would not be eligible for support.

 

Examples of Eligible Internet Services and Charges
Eligible Internet services are limited to the following:

• Monthly Internet access charges
• Email
• Web hosting

 

Examples of Ineligible Internet Services and Charges
Equipment and certain Internet services do not qualify for support under the Rural Health Care Program. The following items are not eligible:

• Caching
• Filtering content
• Training
• Servers
• Web casting
• Equipment and wiring
• Maintenance