Universal Services
Universal Services: Keeping Rural Communities Connected
Telecommunication costs for rural health care providers can be expensive—very expensive, as compared to what their urban counterparts pay for the same types of services. The United States government answered the financial distress call of rural health care providers by implementing the Rural Health Care Program of the Universal Services Fund mandated by The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Act established in 1996.
WHAT IS UNIVERSAL SERVICE?
The Rural Health Care Program of the Universal Service Fund provides discounts to eligible rural health care providers for telecommunication services and monthly Internet service charges. This program is intended to ensure that rural health care providers pay no more for telecommunications costs in the provision of health care services than their urban counterparts pay. The level of support is contingent on the location and the types of services. Health care providers can save on services they already have, upgrade current services, or install new services.
AM I ELIGIBLE?
Eligible health care providers (HCPs), as listed on Universal Service Administrative Company’s (USAC) website (www.universalservice.org) includes:
- Post-secondary educational institutions offering health care instruction, teaching hospitals, or medical schools
- Local health departments or agencies including dedicated emergency departments of rural for-profit hospitals
- Community health centers or health centers providing health care to migrants
- Not-for-profit hospitals
- Consortia of HCP’s consisting of one or more of the above entities
- Community mental health care centers
- Part-time eligible entities located in otherwise ineligible facilities
It is suggested that if you are clearly not one of the entities listed above and are unsure of your eligibility, please contact USAC’s Customer Support Center at 1-800-229-5476.
Non-Eligible HCPs include any for-profit institutions (except as noted above), facilities located in urban areas, or any health care provider types not listed above. Examples of non-eligible entities include:
- Private physician offices or clinics
- Nursing homes or other long-term care facilities
- Residential substance abuse treatment facilities
- Hospices
- Emergency Medical Service facilities
- For-profit hospitals
- Home health agencies
- Blood banks
- Social service agencies
WHAT IS THE PROCESS?
The application process for reduced telecommunications and Internet costs is a very detailed and time consuming process, which seems to discourage many facilities from accessing this discount program. Eligible health care providers (HCPs) or consortia's interested in participating in the Rural Health Care Program must complete the application process, which includes several detailed steps, in order to qualify for a reduction in telecommunications and/or Internet costs. Interested facilities are encouraged to visit the USAC website for a detailed layout of the steps eligible rural health care providers should take to receive discounts through this much underutilized national program. The website address is: www.rhc.universalservice.org
IT CAN BE DONE!
The Universal Services application process often deters eligible facilities from completing the applications but with determination and hard work it can be done. Heartland Rural Health Network, Inc. facilitates the application process for reduced telecommunication and Internet costs for four of it’s member hospitals. Florida Hospital (has locations in Sebring, Lake Placid, and Wauchula) and DeSoto Memorial Hospital (Arcadia) have utilized the Universal Services Program for past three years and have been able to enjoy a huge savings on their telecommunications costs totaling $129,358.28 Heartland Rural Health Network, Inc. is currently working on the Funding Year 2007 applications (July 1, 2007-June 30, 2008) for these four hospitals.
HOW CAN MY FACILITY SAVE MONEY?
Anyone interested in learning more about the Universal Services Fund or is interested in pursuing the application process for reduced telecommunications/Internet costs is encouraged to contact Kelly J. Johnson, Health Planning Director for Heartland Rural Health Network, Inc. She is available to provide consultative services for the Universal Services application process for a reasonable consulting fee. Call 863-452-6530 or contact Kelly via e-mail kelly.johnson@hrhn.org
Universal Services Presentation