2011 Telehealth Summit presentation

1. Universal Service Rural Health Care Program Overview Paloma Costa Program Manager of Outreach, Rural Health Care, USAC

2. The RHC program is one of four programs of the Universal Service Fund (USF), administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company on behalf of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The RHC Program provides reduced rates to eligible rural health care providers for telecommunications and Internet services used for the provision of health care so they pay no more than their urban counterparts for the same or similar services. What is the Rural Health Care (RHC) Program? USAC and the USF

3. PrimaryProgramprovides discounts for monthly recurring costs for telecom connectivity and 25 percent discount for Internet Access Pilot Program supports up to 85 percent of cost to build broadband networks for health care (program closed to new networks) Coming Soon – Broadband support programs Rural Health Care Programs Rural Health Care

4. Support for urban/rural cost difference for telecom connectivity or 25% of Internet (access, web hosting, e-mail) Service must be for the provision of health care Support of monthly recurring costs Support is for “standard” installation cost (excludes wiring, cabling, equipment, or “build-out”) What does the Primary Program fund? The RHC Program

6. Rural health clinics

7. Post-secondary educational institutions

8. Community health centers

9. Local health departments or agencies

10. Part-time eligible entities

11. Consortium of health care providers, consisting of rural not-for-profit hospitals

12. Dedicated emergency departments of rural for-profit hospitals

13. Community mental health centersWhat types of Health Care Providers are eligible to participate in the program? The RHC Program

14. Eligible telecommunications providers (ETPs) may provide discounted telecommunications or Internet service. Internet Service Providers (ISPs), cable companies, or others, may only provide discounted Internet access. All providers must have a USAC Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN). Service Provider Eligibility The RHC Program

15. DSL Ethernet T1 Fiber Satellite service MPLS Redundant circuits DS3 Internet Telephone Partial List of Eligible Services Eligibility Additional eligible services are listed on the RHC website at www.usac.org/rhc

16. Special construction/build-out Maintenance charges Services provided by non-eligible telecom providers Ineligible Services Eligibility

17. Rural Health Care Overview Application Process

18. HealthCare Provider (HCP)’s eligibility is determined HCP requests services, and Service Providers (SPs) provide bids for the SPs to evaluate (FIRST FORM-465) Once HCP has selected services/service providers, HCP notifies RHC of selection (SECOND FORM-466/466A) Once approved for support, HCP notifies RHC that services have been received (THIRD FORM-467) Four Steps to Receive Discounted Service RHC Primary Program

19. Eligible location (rural) Eligible provider type Step 1: Determining Eligibility RHC Primary Program

20. Step 1: Determining Eligibility - Rurality RHC Primary Program

21. HCP submits a request for services form (Form 465) to the RHC, and once the HCP eligibility is confirmed RHC posts the form on the RHC website Service Providers (SPs) bid on requested services Step 2: HCP requests services RHC Primary Program

22. HCP evaluates bids HCP notifies RHC of selection (submits Forms 466 and/or 466-A and supporting documents) Step 3: HCP selects services/service providers RHC Primary Program

23. HCP notifies RHC that services have been received by filing Form 467 SP credits HCP and invoices RHC RHC issues an electronic payment/credits SP Step 4: HCP notifies RHC that services have been received RHC Primary Program

26. First day for which funding can be issuedJune 2 Last day to submit Form 465 to receive a full year of funding. Support is pro-rated if Form 465 is submitted after this date April 4 Prior to the beginning of the funding year, filing window opens so that HCPs may begin posting Form 465

27. Live trainings Webinars Video tutorials, coming for FY2011 Monthly conference calls Individual assistance from Customer Support Center Training RHC Primary Program

28. (800) 229-5476 or RHC-Admin@usac.org Monthly conference calls on the second Thursday of each month at 2pm ET. To receive conference call notices, please e-mail RHC-suggestions@usac.org Paloma Costa – (202) 772-6274 or pcosta@usac.org For additional information about the Primary Program: RHC Primary Program