FCC Rural Health Care Program Funding Application Process and the Ability to Partner with a Consortia

The Rural Health Care Connectivity Act of 2015 was passed by Congress and enacted into law on June 22, 2016.  The Act authorized eligible rural not for profit skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) to participate in the Rural Health Care Program (RHCP) to assist in payment for broadband expansion and expenses to facilitate and deliver health care services.  It also mandated the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to allow applications by eligible SNFs within 180 days of enactment, which is effectively Jan. 1, 2017.  The FCC’s Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) administers the universal service fund program associated with the RHCP. 
   
According to a recent press release from USAC, RHCP funding requests reached a historic high of $377.64 million in Funding Year (FY) 2015, and demand may exceed the $400 million funding cap in FY2016 (July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017).  To fairly distribute future RHCP funding if the funding cap is reached, the FCC just announced additional filing window periods for FY2016.  Because of the 180 day delay of enactment included in the legislation, SNFs will technically not be able to apply for funds from the RHCF program until Jan. 1, 2017.  Therefore, the first filing window period for SNFs  will be from February 1 - April 30, 2017.  Given the potential of applications reaching the funding cap, eligible SNFs are strongly encouraged to submit their funding requests for the FY ended on June 30, 2017 as soon after Jan. 1, 2017 as possible.

Notwithstanding the delay of enactment for SNFs, there is much preparatory work that must and can be done in advance of formal application of funds.  For questions about the filing window periods, you can contact the RHCP Help Desk via email or at (800) 453-1546.  Suggested first steps for SNFs that are eligible and would like to apply for funds from the RHCP include:

• Become familiar with the overview of the RHCP and determine eligibility by visiting the USAC web site.
• Become familiar with the specific steps required in the application process.
• Sign up on USAC’s listserv to receive ongoing updates of activity and timeline requirements.

Required preparatory steps can be time consuming.  Some SNF management may wish to hire a consultant with expertise in the FCC’s application process if there is interest in submitting an application for either FY2016 or FY2017.  Another option is to join an already existing consortia to apply for and obtain funding.

In that regard, The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society (Good Sam) – an AHCA member – has completed a consortia request which was recently approved by USAC.  It would be a rather simple and seamless process to join to be part of the Good Sam consortium.  If any eligible provider is interested in exploring this option, you may contact Dan Holdhusen, Good Sam’s Director of Government Relations.  Dan is familiar with the USAC application process and testified on behalf of SNF providers this past spring at a House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology hearing in support of the Rural Health Care Connectivity Act.

Finally, feel free to also contact AHCA’s Senior Director of Not for Profit and Constituent Services, Dana Halvorson, who has been closely following this matter if you have any questions.