Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) – Resources
Selected recent or important resources focusing on Rural Health Clinics (RHCs).
Financial Guide for the Rural Health Care Leaders During COVID and Post-COVID
Highlights strategies for addressing the financial challenges RHCs and CAHs may face during and after a public health emergency such as COVID-19. Discusses how rural providers can improve financial performance in the face of lower inpatient and outpatient volumes, fewer elective surgeries, and the added cost of PPE, ventilators, and staff, among others. Details indicators of financial stress and recommends corresponding strategies.
Date: 10/2021
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Resource Center
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Highlights strategies for addressing the financial challenges RHCs and CAHs may face during and after a public health emergency such as COVID-19. Discusses how rural providers can improve financial performance in the face of lower inpatient and outpatient volumes, fewer elective surgeries, and the added cost of PPE, ventilators, and staff, among others. Details indicators of financial stress and recommends corresponding strategies.
Date: 10/2021
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Resource Center
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Provider Relief Fund Reporting Portal
Recording of a September 2, 2021, webinar on the COVID-19 Provider Relief Fund (PRF) program. Provides an overview of the PRF program. Discusses reporting requirements and time periods, methodology for calculating lost revenues, and considerations for Rural Health Clinics. Includes answers to frequently asked questions. Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: Presentation Slides, Transcript
Date: 09/2021
Sponsoring organizations: Health Resources and Services Administration, National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Recording of a September 2, 2021, webinar on the COVID-19 Provider Relief Fund (PRF) program. Provides an overview of the PRF program. Discusses reporting requirements and time periods, methodology for calculating lost revenues, and considerations for Rural Health Clinics. Includes answers to frequently asked questions. Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: Presentation Slides, Transcript
Date: 09/2021
Sponsoring organizations: Health Resources and Services Administration, National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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HPSA 101 Webinar
Recording of a February 2, 2021, webinar on the importance of Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) and Medically Underserved Area/Population (MUA/P) designations for Rural Health Clinics (RHCs). Reviews requirements for RHCs to become approved National Health Service Corps sites. Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: Presentation Slides, Transcript
Date: 02/2021
Sponsoring organizations: Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Recording of a February 2, 2021, webinar on the importance of Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) and Medically Underserved Area/Population (MUA/P) designations for Rural Health Clinics (RHCs). Reviews requirements for RHCs to become approved National Health Service Corps sites. Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: Presentation Slides, Transcript
Date: 02/2021
Sponsoring organizations: Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Barriers to Health Care Access for Rural Medicare Beneficiaries: Recommendations from Rural Health Clinics
Presents findings from an online survey of Rural Health Clinics, describing barriers for Medicare patients in accessing healthcare services. Includes recommendations for improving access to care for rural Medicare beneficiaries.
Author(s): Megan Lahr, Carrie Henning-Smith, Adrita Rahman, Ashley M. Hernandez
Date: 01/2021
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Presents findings from an online survey of Rural Health Clinics, describing barriers for Medicare patients in accessing healthcare services. Includes recommendations for improving access to care for rural Medicare beneficiaries.
Author(s): Megan Lahr, Carrie Henning-Smith, Adrita Rahman, Ashley M. Hernandez
Date: 01/2021
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Tracking a Pandemic: How Rural Health Clinics Utilized a Historic Investment to Fight COVID-19
Shares the results from a survey of 289 Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) across 40 states surveyed in April 2021. Describes the experiences of RHC staff and how the Rural Health Clinic COVID-19 Testing (RHCCT) program funding was used to meet the healthcare needs of rural communities arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Date: 2021
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Shares the results from a survey of 289 Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) across 40 states surveyed in April 2021. Describes the experiences of RHC staff and how the Rural Health Clinic COVID-19 Testing (RHCCT) program funding was used to meet the healthcare needs of rural communities arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Date: 2021
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Effective Communication and Consistency in Increasing Rural Vaccination Rates
Discusses barriers to vaccination in rural areas and strategies to improve vaccination rates. Features efforts in a Louisiana Rural Health Clinic (RHC) and in rural Kentucky high schools that are increasing vaccination rates.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 09/2019
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Discusses barriers to vaccination in rural areas and strategies to improve vaccination rates. Features efforts in a Louisiana Rural Health Clinic (RHC) and in rural Kentucky high schools that are increasing vaccination rates.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 09/2019
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Medical Surge and the Role of Health Clinics
Results of a study exploring the scope and level of implementation of emergency management activities among health clinics, including Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics. Uses information from 175 online surveys with health clinic leaders from 38 states. Features statistics from participating clinics, with breakdowns by urban, suburban, rural, and remote locations, and type of clinic.
Additional links: Summary
Date: 10/2018
Sponsoring organization: Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response
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Results of a study exploring the scope and level of implementation of emergency management activities among health clinics, including Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics. Uses information from 175 online surveys with health clinic leaders from 38 states. Features statistics from participating clinics, with breakdowns by urban, suburban, rural, and remote locations, and type of clinic.
Additional links: Summary
Date: 10/2018
Sponsoring organization: Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response
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Public Law 95–210: Rural Health Clinic Services Act of 1977
Text of the Rural Health Clinic Services Act of 1977, Public Law 95–210 (December 13, 1977). This legislation established the Rural Health Clinic (RHC) designation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs and outlines details of the designation.
Date: 1977
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Congress
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Text of the Rural Health Clinic Services Act of 1977, Public Law 95–210 (December 13, 1977). This legislation established the Rural Health Clinic (RHC) designation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs and outlines details of the designation.
Date: 1977
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Congress
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FORHP Rural Hospital Technical Assistance Finder
A tool to help identify free technical assistance services available to rural hospitals and Rural Health Clinics from six Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) supported programs. Find matching TA providers based on facility type, location, and type of assistance.
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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A tool to help identify free technical assistance services available to rural hospitals and Rural Health Clinics from six Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) supported programs. Find matching TA providers based on facility type, location, and type of assistance.
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Rural Health Clinic Accreditation
Information on the Joint Commission survey process for Rural Health Clinic (RHC) accreditation.
Additional links: Rural Health Clinic Accreditation Organization Survey Activity Guide
Sponsoring organization: Joint Commission
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Information on the Joint Commission survey process for Rural Health Clinic (RHC) accreditation.
Additional links: Rural Health Clinic Accreditation Organization Survey Activity Guide
Sponsoring organization: Joint Commission
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Last Updated: 8/27/2025