Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) – Resources
Selected recent or important resources focusing on Rural Health Clinics (RHCs).
Ending Surprise Medical Bills
Offers resources for healthcare providers and consumers regarding surprise billing regulations and policies. Includes information on payment dispute resolution between patients and providers, and between providers and out-of-network health plans.
Date: 2022
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Offers resources for healthcare providers and consumers regarding surprise billing regulations and policies. Includes information on payment dispute resolution between patients and providers, and between providers and out-of-network health plans.
Date: 2022
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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No Surprises Act Webinar
Recording of a December 14, 2021, webinar providing an overview of the No Surprises Act and how it impacts Rural Health Clinics. Outlines price transparency and good faith estimate requirements and enforcement. Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: CMS Regulations, CMS-10791 Good Faith Estimate for Health Care Items and Services, Good Faith Estimate Information and Webinar Q&A Follow-Up, Presentation Slides, Transcript
Date: 12/2021
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Recording of a December 14, 2021, webinar providing an overview of the No Surprises Act and how it impacts Rural Health Clinics. Outlines price transparency and good faith estimate requirements and enforcement. Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: CMS Regulations, CMS-10791 Good Faith Estimate for Health Care Items and Services, Good Faith Estimate Information and Webinar Q&A Follow-Up, Presentation Slides, Transcript
Date: 12/2021
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Access to Outpatient Services in Rural Communities Changes after Hospital Closure
Examines trends of Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and Rural Health Quality (RHC) availability in rural areas before and after hospital closures. Explores the associations between poverty rates and access to FQHCs and RHCs following hospital closure.
Author(s): Katherine E.M. Miller, Kyle L. Miller, Kathleen Knocke, et al.
Citation: Health Services Research, 56(5), 788-801
Date: 10/2021
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Examines trends of Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and Rural Health Quality (RHC) availability in rural areas before and after hospital closures. Explores the associations between poverty rates and access to FQHCs and RHCs following hospital closure.
Author(s): Katherine E.M. Miller, Kyle L. Miller, Kathleen Knocke, et al.
Citation: Health Services Research, 56(5), 788-801
Date: 10/2021
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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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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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NARHC REF RHC Data Portal
Interactive tool providing data on the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes used by Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) for services provided to Medicare beneficiaries. Uses a statistically adjusted sample of health care claims data and carrier file claims from 2019-2021. Data are searchable by claim year, code, and percentage and frequency of use.
Sponsoring organizations: Catherine Cutler Institute, National Association of Rural Health Clinics, National Association of Rural Health Clinics Research and Education Foundation
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Interactive tool providing data on the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes used by Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) for services provided to Medicare beneficiaries. Uses a statistically adjusted sample of health care claims data and carrier file claims from 2019-2021. Data are searchable by claim year, code, and percentage and frequency of use.
Sponsoring organizations: Catherine Cutler Institute, National Association of Rural Health Clinics, National Association of Rural Health Clinics Research and Education Foundation
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Last Updated: 10/24/2025

