|
Photo courtesy of CaringPhotography
|
|
RURAL HEALTH CLINICS
Rural Health Clinics (RHC) provide primary care services to individuals in medically
underserved rural areas.
Rural Health Clinic (RHC) services are
provided by physicians, nurse practitioners,
and physician assistants and include primary care as well as other medically needed
services. The clinic offers services on site and refers patients to hospitals for referral and admission.
RHCs are certified for participation in the Medicare program. The
Federal Heath and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services (CMS) determines if the location of the clinic meets Medicare
eligibility criteria of being in a designated medically underserved area.
Rural Health Clinics are not licensed by the State, but are Medicare
certified.
Medicare may pay for services provided by Rural Health Clinics who voluntarily seek and are
approved for certification by the CMS. CMS contracts with the Department of
Health to
evaluate compliance with the federal regulations by periodically conducting unannounced
surveys of these clinics.
FEDERAL MEDICARE REGULATIONS: RURAL HEALTH CLINICS
Regulations:
42 CFR
491 Part A
APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL MEDICARE CERTIFICATION
For persons interested in the application process for Federal Medicare certification of
these agencies, here are steps to follow.
- Request a copy of the federal Medicare regulations for Rural Health Clinic.
How to Contact Us
- Contact DOH, Office
of Community and Rural Health and request an application for certification as a Rural Health Clinic.
- After
reviewing designation as a rural medically underserved
area, submit the application materials to Office of Health
Care Survey.
- After review and acceptance of the application materials,
DOH conducts an on-site survey before recommending the RHC for
Medicare certification.
Back to Top
|
