USACRural Health CareService ProvidersStep 5: Invoice USAC
Healthcare Connect Fund (HCF) Program

Healthcare Connect Fund (HCF) Program

USAC Invoice Payment Cycle for Service Providers

USAC pays invoices to service providers in batches. Batches are paid on the 6th and the 21st of each month (except weekends and holidays, where the payment batch date would fall on the next business day).  Invoices that USAC approves are typically processed in the upcoming payment batch. Service providers can expect the payment from the approved invoice (FCC Form 463, FCC Form 469, or Telecom Program Invoice) to arrive in their bank accounts three (3) business days after the payment batch date.

HCF Program Invoicing

In the HCF Program, invoicing is a joint process between you and the HCP using the FCC Form 463 (Invoice and Request for Disbursement Form).

Invoicing for FY2022 and Forward

For FY2022 and forward, the FCC Form 463 will be submitted in RHC Connect. As you submit the FCC Form 463, please keep in mind that the General Contact on the FCC Form 498 is the only user for the company who can create additional logins for other users in that company.

If you are having trouble accessing RHC Connect, it may be a result of outdated information on the FCC Form 498 (Service Provider and Billed Entity Identification Number and General Contact Information Form). To correct the issue, please update your FCC Form 498 as soon as possible. For more information, please visit the Manage Your 498 ID webpage on the USAC website.

Here are the steps the General Contact should take to add users:

  1. All users must be created in E-File before they are added as a user in RHC Connect.
  2. Once the user is created, log into E-File and select Rural Healthcare.
  3. Select RHC Connect, the third hyperlink under Rural Healthcare.
  4. Add or update users by going to the My SPINs
  5. Choose the SPIN and click on the Manage Users icon under Actions
  6. Select the button to Create New User or Update User, then click next.
  7. Enter the information about the new user or updated information for an existing RHC Connect user.
  8. Select any or all of the SPINs listed and click Add SPIN under the list.
  9. Once the selected SPINs have moved to the Selected SPINs column, click
  10. Confirm the information entered is correct, then click Save.

Please use the RHC-Connect User Guide – FCC Form 463 for Service Providers and the FCC Form 463 Forms Guide for Service Providers to assist you with submitting the FCC Form 463 in RHC Connect.

Invoicing Prior to FY2022

Once an HCP receives a bill, it can create an invoice for the services received using the FCC Form 463. The HCP must certify that the form is accurate and that they or another eligible source have paid the minimum 35 percent contribution. Next, the HCP sends the FCC Form 463 to you for approval through My Portal. You will review the FCC Form 463 and certify its accuracy, then submit the form to USAC. Once USAC receives the FCC Form 463, it processes the form and, if approved, distributes funds to you, the service provider. As a reminder, please be sure to respond to any invoicing Information Requests by the 14-calendar day deadline listed in the email.

Invoice Filing Deadline

The invoice filing deadline is four months (120 days) from the service delivery deadline or the date of a revised FCL approving a post-commitment request or a successful appeal of a previously denied or reduced funding request, whichever comes later. The service delivery deadline for recurring and non-recurring services is June 30 of the funding year for which the program support is sought.

This invoice filing deadline is included in the funding commitment letter (FCL), which USAC sends via email after approving the FCC Form 462 (Funding Request Form). Remember, this deadline refers to the date by which the FCC Form 463 must be approved, signed, and certified by both you and the HCP, and submitted to USAC. This means that you and your HCP must allow plenty of time in advance of the invoice filing deadline to review the form, check for and resolve any errors, certify, and sign the form, and then submit to USAC.

Once your invoice filing deadline passes, you and your HCP will be unable to create an FCC Form 463 in My Portal.

Invoice Filing Deadline Lookup

Use the Invoice Filing Deadline Tool to look up your invoice filing deadline. The tool contains all FRNs with future invoice filing deadline as well as all FRNs that are less than 6 months past their expiration.

This tool only allows you to identify your commitment’s invoice filing deadline; it does not reflect form submissions, payment status, or funds remaining. To answer questions on remaining funding, log into My Portal or email the RHC Customer Service Center.

Additional Resources