Step 1: Obtain a 498 ID
To participate in either the Healthcare Connect Fund (HCF) or Telecommunications (Telecom) Program, a service provider may be any provider of equipment, facilities, or services that are considered eligible services in either program. Please keep in mind that eligible services differ in each program. It is important that both the service provider and the healthcare provider (HCP) seeking services understand which services are eligible in which program to avoid denials.
More information about the differences between RHC’s two programs may be found on the RHC Get Started page.
498 ID (HCF & Telecom Programs)
To participate in the RHC program, you must obtain a 498 ID (formerly SPIN/Service Provider Identification Number) by completing and submitting to USAC the FCC Form 498 (Service Provider and Billed Entity Identification Number and General Contact Information Form). The FCC Form 498 is used to collect contact, remittance, and payment information for service providers that receive support from the federal universal service programs. Once USAC has validated and approved the information on the FCC Form 498, USAC will issue a 498 ID. This is a unique number assigned to each service provider to ensure that approved support is directed to the correct service provider.
Note: As you fill out the FCC Form 498, keep in mind that the General Contact you list in Block 2 will receive all correspondence about the RHC program forms. Please review the form instructions carefully and complete all applicable fields. For RHC program purposes, be sure to complete Blocks 10, 11, and 18 on the FCC Form 498.
Please note: On April 6, 2022, the FCC released a Public Notice (DA-22-371) announcing that the General Services Administration’s SAM.gov will transition from the use of the Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number to the SAM.gov assigned Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). USAC updated the FCC Form 498 for all service providers on November 16, 2022 to require entities to have an active UEI in order to submit or modify their FCC Form 498. The update of the FCC Form 498 only affects entities that must submit a new FCC Form 498 or revise their current FCC Form 498. To learn more, read our latest bulletin and watch the new Register for a New 498 ID and Update SAM.gov Unique Entity ID on the FCC Form 498 videos.
Other Requirements
You may also be required to file FCC Forms 499-A and 499-Q. For more information about FCC Forms 498, 499-A, and 499-Q, visit the Service Provider section of the USAC website.
The material on these webpages is provided for general information only and should not be relied upon or used as the sole basis for making decisions without consulting the RHC program rules, orders, and other primary sources of information. Applicants and service providers are ultimately responsible for knowing and complying with all RHC program rules and procedures.