Get Started »
Rural Health Care
- USAC Home
- Rural Health Care Program
- Latest News
- Latest News Archive
Latest News
Latest News Archive
USAC's Latest News Archive gives you access to all announcements related to the Rural Health Care Program as they were made throughout the years. The archives will be updated as new announcements are made.
9/14/2012
– RHC Circuit 3Q 2012 Issued
The RHC Circuit is Rural Health Care's quarterly publication designed to keep participants in the RHC program informed about program information and to help them be successful in the program. If you would like to receive this quarterly, please subscribe.
The RHC Circuit is Rural Health Care's quarterly publication designed to keep participants in the RHC program informed about program information and to help them be successful in the program. If you would like to receive this quarterly, please subscribe.
8/20/2012
– All Supporting Documentation for FY2011 FCC Forms 466/466-A Due August 31
All supporting documentation accompanying Funding Year (FY) 2011 FCC Forms 466/466-A must be submitted to RHC by August 31, 2012. Substitutions or corrections will not be accepted after that date.
About the August 31 Deadline (New Administrative Rule)
The number of applications submitted to RHC has risen by nearly 20 percent for the last two years. RHC no longer has the resources available to provide continual outreach to obtain the documentation required so an FCC Form 466 or 466-A can be processed. We must focus on processing forms for applicants who have submitted a complete packet.
Beginning with FY2011, USAC will implement a deadline of August 31, 2012, for health care providers (HCPs) to submit all required FCC Forms 466/466-A supporting documentation. This still offers a two-month grace period from the official documentation deadline (June 30, according to form instructions).
It is the health care provider’s responsibility to submit all required supporting documentation on time. The documentation must be complete and accurate by August 31 in order for the form to be processed.
All supporting documentation accompanying Funding Year (FY) 2011 FCC Forms 466/466-A must be submitted to RHC by August 31, 2012. Substitutions or corrections will not be accepted after that date.
About the August 31 Deadline (New Administrative Rule)
The number of applications submitted to RHC has risen by nearly 20 percent for the last two years. RHC no longer has the resources available to provide continual outreach to obtain the documentation required so an FCC Form 466 or 466-A can be processed. We must focus on processing forms for applicants who have submitted a complete packet.
Beginning with FY2011, USAC will implement a deadline of August 31, 2012, for health care providers (HCPs) to submit all required FCC Forms 466/466-A supporting documentation. This still offers a two-month grace period from the official documentation deadline (June 30, according to form instructions).
It is the health care provider’s responsibility to submit all required supporting documentation on time. The documentation must be complete and accurate by August 31 in order for the form to be processed.
7/20/2012
– FCC Issues Public Notice Seeking Comment
The FCC has issued a Public Notice (DA 12-1166) seeking further comment on issues in the Rural Health Care Reform Proceeding, particularly with regard to the proposed Broadband Services Program. The Commission has stated that “A more focused and comprehensive record will help the Commission craft an efficient permanent program that will help health care providers exploit the potential of broadband to make health care better, more widely available, and less expensive for patients in rural areas.” Comments are requested on the following topics:
1. Use of consortium applications,
2. Inclusion of urban health care providers in funded consortia,
3. Services and equipment to be supported,
4. Use of competitive bidding processes and multi-year contracts, and
5. Broadband needs of rural health care providers.
Comments are due on August 23, 2012, with reply comments due on September 7, 2012, and should reference WC Docket No. 02-60 and BA 12-1166. Comments can be filed electronically using the Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) using instructions from the attached guide. Information about paper filings can be found in the notice.
The FCC has issued a Public Notice (DA 12-1166) seeking further comment on issues in the Rural Health Care Reform Proceeding, particularly with regard to the proposed Broadband Services Program. The Commission has stated that “A more focused and comprehensive record will help the Commission craft an efficient permanent program that will help health care providers exploit the potential of broadband to make health care better, more widely available, and less expensive for patients in rural areas.” Comments are requested on the following topics:
1. Use of consortium applications,
2. Inclusion of urban health care providers in funded consortia,
3. Services and equipment to be supported,
4. Use of competitive bidding processes and multi-year contracts, and
5. Broadband needs of rural health care providers.
Comments are due on August 23, 2012, with reply comments due on September 7, 2012, and should reference WC Docket No. 02-60 and BA 12-1166. Comments can be filed electronically using the Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) using instructions from the attached guide. Information about paper filings can be found in the notice.
6/27/2012
– My Portal Unavailable from 5:30 PM EDT to 7:00 PM EDT Today
Due to scheduled maintenance, My Portal will be unavailable from 5:30 PM EDT to 7:00 PM EDT today, June 27, 2012.
Due to scheduled maintenance, My Portal will be unavailable from 5:30 PM EDT to 7:00 PM EDT today, June 27, 2012.
6/25/2012
– Funding Year 2012 Starts at 9:00 AM EDT on July 2, 2012
Eligible health care providers (HCPs) may submit an FCC Form 466/466-A (Funding Request and Certification Form/Internet Service Funding Request and Certification Form) beginning on Monday, July 2, 2012 at 9:00 AM EDT. Funding Year 2012 is from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013, but because the beginning of the funding year falls on a non-business day, health care providers will need to wait until July 2 to submit the FCC Form 466/466-A.
Visit these sections of our website for guidance:
Eligible health care providers (HCPs) may submit an FCC Form 466/466-A (Funding Request and Certification Form/Internet Service Funding Request and Certification Form) beginning on Monday, July 2, 2012 at 9:00 AM EDT. Funding Year 2012 is from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013, but because the beginning of the funding year falls on a non-business day, health care providers will need to wait until July 2 to submit the FCC Form 466/466-A.
Visit these sections of our website for guidance:
- How to Apply: Application Process Overview
- Submit a Funding Request: Filing Form 466/466-A
- My Portal Training and Reference: Information about the new application management system for the Rural Health Care (RHC) Program
6/15/2012
– Legacy Systems Unavailable from 8:00 PM EDT Friday, June 15 to 2:00 AM EDT Saturday, June 16, 2012
Due to scheduled preventive maintenance, all Rural Health Care legacy systems will be unavailable from 8:00 PM EDT Friday, June 15, 2012, to 2:00 AM EDT Saturday, June 16, 2012.
Due to scheduled preventive maintenance, all Rural Health Care legacy systems will be unavailable from 8:00 PM EDT Friday, June 15, 2012, to 2:00 AM EDT Saturday, June 16, 2012.
5/15/2012
– FY2011 Forms Unavailable from 8:00 PM EDT Friday through 1:00 AM EDT Saturday
The RHC Legacy application system will be unavailable from Friday, May 18 at 8:00 PM EDT through Saturday, May 19 at 1:00 AM EDT.
The RHC Legacy application system will be unavailable from Friday, May 18 at 8:00 PM EDT through Saturday, May 19 at 1:00 AM EDT.
5/8/2012
– ALERT - My Portal Will Be Down for a Service Update 5:00-5:30 PM EDT
The RHC My Portal application will be down for a service update from 5pm - 5:30pm EST on Tuesday, May 8. All application functions will return at 5:30pm EST. We apologize for the inconvenience, and appreciate your patience.
The RHC My Portal application will be down for a service update from 5pm - 5:30pm EST on Tuesday, May 8. All application functions will return at 5:30pm EST. We apologize for the inconvenience, and appreciate your patience.
4/13/2012
– New Website Launched
This week, USAC launched its new website, designed to make it easier to find and understand online information and tools for participating in universal service programs. For beneficiaries, contributors, and service providers who rely on USAC’s website for news, program requirements, and resources, all the same content and tools remain available. USAC has streamlined and multiplied the pathways for people to find what they need, clarified language, and de-cluttered the look and feel of the pages. These changes should serve particularly well the needs of newcomers to universal service, trying to make a successful start with contributions or participation in any of the four programs.
Email USAC with any comments or questions. Brief tutorials are available to help users get oriented to the new website.
This week, USAC launched its new website, designed to make it easier to find and understand online information and tools for participating in universal service programs. For beneficiaries, contributors, and service providers who rely on USAC’s website for news, program requirements, and resources, all the same content and tools remain available. USAC has streamlined and multiplied the pathways for people to find what they need, clarified language, and de-cluttered the look and feel of the pages. These changes should serve particularly well the needs of newcomers to universal service, trying to make a successful start with contributions or participation in any of the four programs.
Email USAC with any comments or questions. Brief tutorials are available to help users get oriented to the new website.
4/12/2012
– Funding Year 2012 Window Opens 9:00 AM EDT on April 16, 2012
Eligible health care providers (HCPs) may post FCC Form 465 (Description of Services Requested and Certification Form) for Funding Year 2012 beginning on Monday, April 16, 2012 at 9:00 AM EDT. Funding Year 2012 is from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013.
Visit these sections of our website for guidance:
- Determine Eligibility: For Health Care Providers, Rurality, and Service Type
- Submit a Service Request: Filing Form 465
- How to Apply: Application Process Overview
3/28/2012
– Pilot Program Participants Invited to Attend "My Portal" Training at ATA April 28
Rural Health Care "My Portal" and Pilot Program Training: ATA Conference in San Jose, CA
USAC is developing a new application management system for the Rural Health Care (RHC) Program, called My Portal, which will be deployed for the 2012 Funding Year. USAC will host a pre-conference training at the American Telemedicine Association (ATA) International Meeting & Exposition for program participants to explain the exciting new features of My Portal, followed by a discussion specific to RHC Pilot Program participants.
Register early! Registration is complimentary, but is limited to 45 participants. You don't need to be registered for the ATA meeting in order to attend this event.
Date & Location
Saturday April 28, 2012
USAC RHC My Portal & Pilot Program Training
American Telemedicine Association (ATA) International Meeting & Exposition
Marriott Hotel
Willow Glen I-III San Jose, CA
Training Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
My Portal Training 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Program staff will provide a comprehensive review of My Portal.
Topics will include:
•Security changes
•How to register and log in to My Portal
•How to navigate My Portal
•How to draft, label, submit, and manage forms
•How to upload and store supporting documentation, including communication between the HCP and USAC
•How to access forms for multiple HCPs
•Other new features
1:00-2:00 PM: Lunch
2:00-3:00 PM: Pilot Program "bridge funding"
3:00-4:00 PM: Next steps for Pilot projects after the June 30 deadline training
4:00-5:00 PM: Pilot Program evaluation update
Additional Information
You do not need to be registered for the ATA Meeting & Exposition to attend this training. To change or cancel your registration, email USAC Training and reference your name, confirmation code, and request.
Please inform USAC at least one week prior to the training of any special auxiliary aids or accommodations needed to assist you in attending this event.
Rural Health Care "My Portal" and Pilot Program Training: ATA Conference in San Jose, CA
USAC is developing a new application management system for the Rural Health Care (RHC) Program, called My Portal, which will be deployed for the 2012 Funding Year. USAC will host a pre-conference training at the American Telemedicine Association (ATA) International Meeting & Exposition for program participants to explain the exciting new features of My Portal, followed by a discussion specific to RHC Pilot Program participants.
Register early! Registration is complimentary, but is limited to 45 participants. You don't need to be registered for the ATA meeting in order to attend this event.
Date & Location
Saturday April 28, 2012
USAC RHC My Portal & Pilot Program Training
American Telemedicine Association (ATA) International Meeting & Exposition
Marriott Hotel
Willow Glen I-III San Jose, CA
Training Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
My Portal Training 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Program staff will provide a comprehensive review of My Portal.
Topics will include:
•Security changes
•How to register and log in to My Portal
•How to navigate My Portal
•How to draft, label, submit, and manage forms
•How to upload and store supporting documentation, including communication between the HCP and USAC
•How to access forms for multiple HCPs
•Other new features
1:00-2:00 PM: Lunch
2:00-3:00 PM: Pilot Program "bridge funding"
3:00-4:00 PM: Next steps for Pilot projects after the June 30 deadline training
4:00-5:00 PM: Pilot Program evaluation update
Additional Information
You do not need to be registered for the ATA Meeting & Exposition to attend this training. To change or cancel your registration, email USAC Training and reference your name, confirmation code, and request.
Please inform USAC at least one week prior to the training of any special auxiliary aids or accommodations needed to assist you in attending this event.
3/27/2012
– HCPs Pre-Registered for "My Portal" Must Complete Registration
Over the last few months, RHC has attempted to confirm contact information from the authorized signer listed on the most recent FCC Form 465.
Those who responded have been pre-registered in My Portal. Those who did not respond to the original emails requesting confirmation will not be pre-registered and will likely experience a slight delay in posting their FCC Form 465 for Funding Year 2012 when the window opens on April 16, 2012.
Authorized contacts for HCPs that have been pre-registered will have received an email on April 13, 2012, confirming that their accounts have been set up, with additional information about how to complete the registration process. The registration process must be completed within 72 hours of receiving the confirmation email before the temporary password included in the email expires.
Questions about pre-registration? Contact RHC Outreach.
3/7/2012
– March Conference Call Now Via Webinar
To introduce My Portal, this month's conference call on Thursday, March 8, 2012 at 2:00 PM ET, will be presented via webinar and will feature an overview of the new application system.
Instructions to log in will be provided in this week's conference call reminder email (sign up here). For assistance with webinars, contact USAC Outreach.
To introduce My Portal, this month's conference call on Thursday, March 8, 2012 at 2:00 PM ET, will be presented via webinar and will feature an overview of the new application system.
Instructions to log in will be provided in this week's conference call reminder email (sign up here). For assistance with webinars, contact USAC Outreach.
2/8/2012
– RHC Circuit, First Quarter 2012 Edition
Read the 1Q2012 RHC Circuit online, or subscribe to it and receive it each quarter in your inbox.
Read the 1Q2012 RHC Circuit online, or subscribe to it and receive it each quarter in your inbox.
