RURAL HEALTH CARE DIVISION Michigan Telemedicine Policy Group January 8, 2003 Universal Service Support for Rural Health Care Telecommunications William England Universal Service Administrative Company Rural Health Division www.rhc.universalservice.org, ph 800-229- 5476
Michigan Telemedicine Policy Group January 8, 2003 Universal Service Support for Rural Health Care Telecommunications William England Universal Service Administrative Company Rural Health Division www.rhc.universalservice.org, ph 800-229-5476. USAC Organization. Eligibility. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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RURAL HEALTH CARE DIVISION
Michigan Telemedicine Policy GroupJanuary 8, 2003
Universal Service Support for Rural Health Care Telecommunications
William EnglandUniversal Service Administrative Company
Rural Health Divisionwww.rhc.universalservice.org, ph 800-229-5476
RURAL HEALTH CARE DIVISION
R ura l H ea lth C a re D iv($400 M illion)
Schools & L ibra ries D iv($2.25 B illion)
H igh C ost / Low Incom e D ivs($2.2 B illion)
U SAC($4.85 B illion)
(Ma inta ins U niversa l Service Fund,B illing , C ollections, a nd D isbursem ent)
FC CIm plem ented U niversa l Service Progra m
of T elecom m unica tions Act o f 1996
USAC Organization
RURAL HEALTH CARE DIVISION
Eligibility
Rural public and non-profit health care providerspost-secondary health care educational
institution or medical schoolcommunity health centercommunity mental health centerlocal health department or agencynot-for-profit hospitalrural health clinic
RURAL HEALTH CARE DIVISION
Telecommunication Services
Eligible services (used to provide health care): T3 & fractional T3 T1 & fractional T1ISDNFrame relayLink extensionOther telecom svcs
Equipment not eligible.
Service must be from telecom carrier and must post Form 465 28 days before choosing carrier.
RURAL HEALTH CARE DIVISION
Avg Monthly Support & HCP Cost
USAC* HCP Service
$600 $310 T-1 1.544 Mbps
$384 $189 Frame Relay 1.544 Mbps
$575 $470 Frame Relay 256 Kbps
$180 $248 Frame Relay 56 Kbps
$124 $86 ISDN 128 Kbps
$428 $251 Average (USAC share 63%)
* Year 2001 averages (excludes Alaska.) Actual support depends on distance or urban/rural difference.
RURAL HEALTH CARE DIVISION
RURAL HEALTH CARE DIVISION
The Application Process
RHCD reviews and postsForm 465 on website
28-day competitivebidding starts
HCP chooses most cost-effective telecom offer
Telco completes Form468, HCP completes
Form 466
HCP submits Form 466/468“packet” to RHCD
RHCD reviews packet, issuesFund Commitment Letter (FCL).
HCP submits Form 467 to verifyservice is on
RHCD reviews 467, issues“Support Schedule” to telco. Telco
* Yr 2001 about 95% complete, Yr 2002 about 15% complete.
RURAL HEALTH CARE DIVISION
RURAL HEALTH CARE DIVISION
On 5/15/02, FCC Published NPRM for Rural Health Care Support Mechanism
•Sought comments (due 7/1/02, reply 7/29/02) on:
• Improving and simplifying program operation.
• Increasing # of eligible entities (within $400M cap).
•Eligibility of rural HCPs that have other functions beyond those directly listed in statute.
•Whether/how to provide Internet access discounts.
•Whether/how to change support calculations including:What is comparable service for urban/rural difference?Should rate be that of nearest large city?What should be Maximum Allowable Distance?
RURAL HEALTH CARE DIVISION
Comments Filed on NPRM for Rural Health Care Support Mechanism
•75 comments and 15 reply comments were filed.
•Most HCPs supported modification of program in directions mentioned in NPRM.
•Some carriers and others cautioned that program not be expanded beyond original intent.
•Many comments urged revising of how support is calculated for Pacific territories.
•Final rule likely late spring. Effective date?
RURAL HEALTH CARE DIVISION
Administrative Changes Being Considered for Rural Health Care Support Mechanism
•Eliminate Form 468, merge into Form 466.
•Post Urban Rates for use if rate not submitted by HCP.
• Implement electronic submission of Form 466.
• Implement electronic submission of telco invoices.