Rural Health Care
Supporting healthcare facilities in bringing world class medical care to rural areas through increased connectivity
Upcoming Dates
There are no upcoming dates at this time.
How It Works
The Rural Health Care program funds two types of services.
You can apply for funding for Voice and Data, Broadband, or both.
Voice and Data
If you need voice and other telecommunication services, you may be eligible for funding through the Telecommunications Program.
Discount Rate: Determined using the urban/rural differential.
Broadband
If you need broadband services, network equipment, etc., you may be eligible for funding through the Healthcare Connect Fund (HCF) Program.
Discount Rate: Flat 65% discount on eligible expenses.
The Process
These steps will help you navigate the process to get funding.
Determine your eligibility
Develop evaluation criteria and request services
Evaluate bids and select a service provider
Submit a funding request
Certify service start and end dates
Work with your service provider to invoice USAC
Announcements
FCC Order DA 24-366 – Directs USAC to Accept Late-Filed Funding Requests
Mar 23, 2026
Beginning in funding year (FY) 2024, the FCC directed USAC to allow health care providers to file funding requests in the RHC Program up to 30 days after the close of the application filing window. If the FCC grants a waiver of the application filing deadline, USAC will process the funding request as if it was timely...
Read MoreRHC Program FY2026 Filing Window Closes on April 1!
Mar 20, 2026
The Funding Year (FY) 2026 filing window opened on December 1, 2025, and will close on April...
Read MoreRHC Connect Outage Due to System Upgrade: March 20, 2026
Mar 20, 2026
RHC Connect may be unavailable on Friday, March 20, 2026, from 7:00 p.m.- midnight ET due to...
Read MoreSAM.gov UEI Requirement
Feb 23, 2026
Beginning August 2026, USAC will begin using SAM.gov banking information to remit payment for all Universal Service Fund (USF)...
Read More