Rural Health Clinics

Rural health clinics (RHC) are designed to provide quality care for rural residents by facilitating access to primary care practitioners at a better reimbursement rate for the providers who choose to practice in a rural setting. The clinic must be designated by the Department of Health as located in a rural and medically under-served area and employ a mid-level practitioner for 50% of the time of its operating hours.

There are two types of rural health clinics. The independent rural health clinic is a freestanding practice that is not part of a hospital, skilled nursing facility or home health agency. The provider based rural health clinic is an integral and subordinate part of a hospital, skilled nursing facility or home health agency.

License/Certification Requirements

This is a federally mandated Medicare and Medicaid certification program achieved by submission of a completed application, required documentation, and successful completion of a survey.  In addition, effective March 1, 2004, some rural health clinics may require licensure as a "health care clinic". Additional information on licensure as a health care clinic can be obtained from the Agency's Health Care Clinic Unit.

There are no fees and no renewal applications required for certification. (Health care clinic licensure fees may apply).

Statute/Rule Authority

Unless required by the "Health Care Clinic Act", there are no state licensing requirements imposed by the Agency.

• 42 CFR, Part 491 Subpart A, Sections 491.1-.11
• CMS State Operations Manual
  (See Sections 2240-2249)
• Guidance to Surveyors - Appendix G

Forms

• Applicant Instructions (344K PDF)
• Request for Establishment of Eligibility – CMS 29
• Health Insurance Benefit Agreement - CMS Form 1561A
• Medicare Administrative Contractor Choice Form

Accreditation

Rural health clinics accredited by an accrediting organization approved by CMS may be exempt from initial and recertification inspections by the Agency for Health Care Administration. A copy of the accreditation award letter and the complete accreditation report, including any corrective actions must be submitted to the Agency for review. If the accrediting organization does not include it in the award letter verification of Medicare deemed status must also be submitted.

• American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF)
  
  
  • AAAASF/RHC Division
    5101 Washington Street
    Suite 2F
    Gurnee, IL 60031
    Phone: Toll Free 888-545-5222
    Fax: 847-775-1985

   

Civil Rights Information and Forms

Civil Rights information and forms are also required for rural health clinics that are provider-based to a hospital or CAH.

• Medicare Certification Civil Rights Information Request Form - OMB 0990-0243
• Assurance of Compliance - HHS Form 690

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Updated April 12, 2012