Department of Health and Human Services: Rural Health Clinic Policy and Clinical Assessment Grant Program

RHCs are primary care clinics that are certified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide care in rural underserved areas.  They receive reasonable cost-based Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, subject to certain conditions.  RHCs must be staffed by physician assistants and/or nurse practitioners.  Currently, there are more than 4,000 RHCs located in 44 states.  For more information about RHCs, please visit http://www.cms.gov/Center/Provider-Type/Rural-Health-Clinics-Center.html?redirect=/center/rural.asp

The health care delivery system is undergoing dramatic change, with an emphasis on finding new approaches to improve health outcomes, control costs, and improve population health.  Financial incentives are moving from volume-based to value-based services, with a focus on quality of care in all settings and improving transitions of care as patients move between care settings.  Within this environment, RHCs provide care to millions of rural residents, often serving as the sole health care provider in a community, and serving as the de facto safety net for rural residents.  The RHCs require support to effectively participate in the changing health care environment and need to be prepared for related policy and regulatory changes.