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Presentation by Paloma Costa, Outreach Program Manager, USAC
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Rural Health Care Program
Program Overview
MATRC
March 15, 2012
www.usac.org/rhc 2
USAC, the Universal Service Fund (USF), and the FCC
The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) administers the Universal Service Fund (USF) on behalf of and under the auspices of the FCC
Rural Health Care
($80 million)
High Cost
($4 billion)
Low Income
($1.3 billion)
Schools and Libraries
($2.25 billion)
www.usac.org/rhc 4
• Pilot Program (closed to new applicants) supports 85% of the cost of broadband networks.
• Primary Program provides discounts for telecommunications services and Internet access for rural health care providers (HCPs)
The RHC Program
Overview
www.usac.org/rhc 5
• For telecommunications services, RHC funds the difference between the urban and rural rates
• For Internet access, RHC funds a straight 25% discount off the rural rate
Primary Program Basics
The RHC Program
www.usac.org/rhc 6
• Connectivity to:
• Telephone service
• Internet access
• Telecommunications services
• Wireless services
Must be used for the provision of health care
What does the RHC program fund?
The RHC Program
www.usac.org/rhc 7
1. Eligible location (rural)
2. Eligible status (non-profit or public)
3. Eligible organization type
Three criteria to be deemed eligible
Eligibility
www.usac.org/rhc 8
• Determined by FCC definition of rural
1. Eligible Location
Eligibility
2. Eligible Status
• Non-profit
OR
• Public
www.usac.org/rhc 9
• Not-for-profit hospitals
• Rural health clinics
• Community mental health centers
• Local health departments or agencies
• Post-secondary educational institutions offering health care instruction, teaching hospitals, and medical schools
• Community health centers or health centers providing health care to migrants
• Dedicated emergency departments of rural for-profit hospitals
• Consortia of HCPs consisting of rural not-for-profit hospitals
• Part-time eligible entities located in facilities that are ineligible
3. Eligible Organization Type
Eligibility
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Eligible Health Care Providers by Type
Post secondary inst: 1%
Community health center:
8% Local health
dept or agency: 9%
Community mental health
center: 7%
Not-for-profit
hospital: 29%
Rural Health
Clinic: 46%
Emergency Dept: < 1%
www.usac.org/rhc 11
1. Health Care Provider’s eligibility is determined
2. HCP requests services, and Service Providers (SPs) provide bids for the HCP to evaluate (1st Form: 465)
3. Once HCP has selected services/service providers, HCP notifies RHC of selection (2nd Form: 466/466-A)
4. Once approved for support, HCP notifies RHC that services have been received (3rd Form: 467)
Four Steps for Health Care Providers:
The RHC Program
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Description of Services Requested and Certification Form
• First form filed by the HCP to initiate program participation
• Certifies that the HCP meets eligibility requirements
• Used to request bids from service providers for eligible services
What is the Form 465?
Second Step: Form 465
www.usac.org/rhc 13
Competitive Bidding
Second Step: Form 465
• HCPs must not enter into a contract or service agreement until the Allowable Contract Selection Date (ACSD), or the 29th day after the 465 is posted
• HCPs must select the most cost effective bid
www.usac.org/rhc 14
Competitive Bidding
Second Step: Form 465
• USAC encourages the use of an (optional) scoring tool/scoring matrix
– HCPs should choose the selection criteria most important to them. Some examples include but are not limited to:
Technical support Previous experience with service provider Cost for service Rapid response Service provider to provide a single point of contact
www.usac.org/rhc 15
Funding Request and Certification Form
• Second form(s) filed in the application process
• Identifies the HCP’s selected service(s), rates, carrier(s), and date of carrier selection
• The HCP must submit one form for each service
• Funds cannot be committed until RHC receives a completed form and required supporting documentation
What are the Forms 466 and 466-A?
Third Step: Forms 466/466-A
www.usac.org/rhc 16
Connection Certification
• Third and final form required in the application process
• Used to confirm the following: – When service was provided (service start date) – When/if service was disconnected (service end date) – If service was never turned on
• The HCP will NOT receive support until the Form 467 is submitted
What is the Form 467?
Fourth Step: Form 467
www.usac.org/rhc 19
RHC Primary Program
April 16, 2012 Prior to the beginning of the funding year, filing window opened so that HCPs can submit a Form 465
June 2, 2012 Last day to post Form 465 to receive a
full year of funding. Support is pro-rated if Form 465 is posted after this date
July 1, 2012 • First day of Funding Year • First day funding can be committed
June 30, 2013 • Last day of Funding Year • Deadline to submit Form(s) 466/466-A
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• Window opening:
– Earliest date that the Form 465 can be posted for upcoming Funding Year
– Typically occurs March – April
– Remember to allow time in addition to 28 days to review bids, sign a contract, and get services prior to July 1st
• Full year of funding:
– Form 465 must be posted at least 28 calendar days prior to the start of the upcoming Funding Year (June 2nd)
Timeline
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• Additional training – live and online – is in development
• Complete website overhaul nearing completion!
• New system for application submission and processing to launch for FY 2012
Changes to the RHC Program
www.usac.org/rhc 28
New application system
• User-friendly:
– Think “Turbo-Tax” format
– More pre-populating of data for applicants
– If you’re evergreen, circuit info will pre-populate
– All electronic communication – no paper mailings
Changes to the RHC Program
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• Streamlined process: – Online forms can be saved and stored
Show status of work in progress
– Updated systems and redesigned workflow to improve accuracy of submissions and reduce processing time
– Redesigned forms / reduction in total number of forms proposed
• Secure portals for applicants: – Forms and document repository:
Application supporting documentation
RHC correspondence
Contracts
– Applicants and service providers can upload information
– Information for all fund years can be stored in the portal
System Improvements
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• Welcome Packet and Handouts
• Ongoing exhibits and training for current program at conferences such as ATA, NRHA, APHA, etc.
• Webinars on the RHC site:
– Competitive Bidding and Evergreen Contracts
– The Role of the Service Provider
• Training on new systems – My Portal
• RHC website is undergoing complete overhaul – we hope to have it live in the next few months
Training and Website
www.usac.org/rhc 31
• Customer Support Center
• 1-800-229-5476
• Conference Calls
• 2nd Thursday of each month for applicants and service providers
• Newsletter
• Quarterly
Ongoing Training
www.usac.org/rhc 32
Thank you for joining us today!
Paloma Costa
202-772-6274
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