Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) – Resources
Selected recent or important resources focusing on Rural Health Clinics (RHCs).
State Operations Manual Appendix Z - Emergency Preparedness for All Provider and Certified Supplier Types Interpretive Guidance
Interpretive guidelines clarifying several provisions of the emergency preparedness final rule for Medicare- and Medicaid-participating providers, which affects Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), and other rural facilities.
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Interpretive guidelines clarifying several provisions of the emergency preparedness final rule for Medicare- and Medicaid-participating providers, which affects Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), and other rural facilities.
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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CMS State Operations Manual (SOM)
Provides guidance to state agencies that survey healthcare facilities and providers to determine if they are in compliance with the Medicare Conditions of Participation (CoP). Includes appendices with regulatory information specific to Critical Access Hospitals (Appendix W) and Federally Qualified Health Centers/Rural Health Clinics (Appendix G). Can be used by healthcare facilities as a tool to self-evaluate their compliance with Medicare CoP.
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Provides guidance to state agencies that survey healthcare facilities and providers to determine if they are in compliance with the Medicare Conditions of Participation (CoP). Includes appendices with regulatory information specific to Critical Access Hospitals (Appendix W) and Federally Qualified Health Centers/Rural Health Clinics (Appendix G). Can be used by healthcare facilities as a tool to self-evaluate their compliance with Medicare CoP.
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Code of Federal Regulations: Title 42 Public Health, Chapter 4, Subchapter G, Part 491, Subpart A - Rural Health Clinics: Conditions for Certification; and FQHCs Conditions for Coverage
Establishes the conditions Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers must meet to qualify for reimbursement under Medicare, as well as those that Rural Health Clinics must meet to qualify for reimbursement under Medicaid.
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Establishes the conditions Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers must meet to qualify for reimbursement under Medicare, as well as those that Rural Health Clinics must meet to qualify for reimbursement under Medicaid.
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Scoring Shortage Designations
Provides an overview of the Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) designation scoring criteria, as well as Maternity Care Target Areas (MCTAs). Covers additional criteria and guidelines specific to each of the three types of designations: primary care, dental and mental health. Also covers scoring criteria for the Medically Underserved Area and Medically Underserved Population (MUA/P) designation.
Sponsoring organization: Health Resources and Services Administration
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Provides an overview of the Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) designation scoring criteria, as well as Maternity Care Target Areas (MCTAs). Covers additional criteria and guidelines specific to each of the three types of designations: primary care, dental and mental health. Also covers scoring criteria for the Medically Underserved Area and Medically Underserved Population (MUA/P) designation.
Sponsoring organization: Health Resources and Services Administration
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Find Shortage Areas by Address
Searchable tool for identifying Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) and Medically Underserved Areas/Populations (MUA/P) by street address, city, and state or a street address and zip code.
Sponsoring organization: Health Resources and Services Administration
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Searchable tool for identifying Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) and Medically Underserved Areas/Populations (MUA/P) by street address, city, and state or a street address and zip code.
Sponsoring organization: Health Resources and Services Administration
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Medicare Learning Network: Information for Rural Health Clinics
Provides an overview of the Rural Health Clinic (RHC) program and services. Includes information regarding Medicare certification and payments.
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Provides an overview of the Rural Health Clinic (RHC) program and services. Includes information regarding Medicare certification and payments.
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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CMS Regional Office Rural Health Coordinators
The list of CMS regional rural health coordinators who provide technical, policy, and operational assistance on rural health issues. Located below information on Rural Health Open Door Forums and Medicare Learning Network publications.
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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The list of CMS regional rural health coordinators who provide technical, policy, and operational assistance on rural health issues. Located below information on Rural Health Open Door Forums and Medicare Learning Network publications.
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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PubMed Search: Rural Health Clinics
Searches PubMed's collection of journal article citations with abstracts for items related to Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) published in the U.S.
Sponsoring organization: U.S. National Library of Medicine
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Searches PubMed's collection of journal article citations with abstracts for items related to Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) published in the U.S.
Sponsoring organization: U.S. National Library of Medicine
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CMS Rural Health Clinics Center
Provides links to manuals, billing codes, enrollment and certification information, legislation, regulations, and contacts related to Medicare and Medicaid services in the rural health clinics.
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Provides links to manuals, billing codes, enrollment and certification information, legislation, regulations, and contacts related to Medicare and Medicaid services in the rural health clinics.
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Quality, Safety & Oversight - Certification & Compliance: Rural Health Clinics
Provides information about being certified as a Medicare participating Rural Health Clinic (RHC) supplier. Includes links to applicable laws, regulations, and compliance information.
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Provides information about being certified as a Medicare participating Rural Health Clinic (RHC) supplier. Includes links to applicable laws, regulations, and compliance information.
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Last Updated: 10/10/2025