Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) – Resources
Selected recent or important resources focusing on Rural Health Clinics (RHCs).
Barriers to Health Care Access for Rural Medicare Beneficiaries: Recommendations from Rural Health Clinics
Presents findings from an online survey of Rural Health Clinics, describing barriers for Medicare patients in accessing healthcare services. Includes recommendations for improving access to care for rural Medicare beneficiaries.
Author(s): Megan Lahr, Carrie Henning-Smith, Adrita Rahman, Ashley M. Hernandez
Date: 01/2021
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Presents findings from an online survey of Rural Health Clinics, describing barriers for Medicare patients in accessing healthcare services. Includes recommendations for improving access to care for rural Medicare beneficiaries.
Author(s): Megan Lahr, Carrie Henning-Smith, Adrita Rahman, Ashley M. Hernandez
Date: 01/2021
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Tracking a Pandemic: How Rural Health Clinics Utilized a Historic Investment to Fight COVID-19
Shares the results from a survey of 289 Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) across 40 states surveyed in April 2021. Describes the experiences of RHC staff and how the Rural Health Clinic COVID-19 Testing (RHCCT) program funding was used to meet the healthcare needs of rural communities arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Date: 2021
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Shares the results from a survey of 289 Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) across 40 states surveyed in April 2021. Describes the experiences of RHC staff and how the Rural Health Clinic COVID-19 Testing (RHCCT) program funding was used to meet the healthcare needs of rural communities arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Date: 2021
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Effective Communication and Consistency in Increasing Rural Vaccination Rates
Discusses barriers to vaccination in rural areas and strategies to improve vaccination rates. Features efforts in a Louisiana Rural Health Clinic (RHC) and in rural Kentucky high schools that are increasing vaccination rates.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 09/2019
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Discusses barriers to vaccination in rural areas and strategies to improve vaccination rates. Features efforts in a Louisiana Rural Health Clinic (RHC) and in rural Kentucky high schools that are increasing vaccination rates.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 09/2019
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Medical Surge and the Role of Health Clinics
Results of a study exploring the scope and level of implementation of emergency management activities among health clinics, including Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics. Uses information from 175 online surveys with health clinic leaders from 38 states. Features statistics from participating clinics, with breakdowns by urban, suburban, rural, and remote locations, and type of clinic.
Additional links: Summary
Date: 10/2018
Sponsoring organization: Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response
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Results of a study exploring the scope and level of implementation of emergency management activities among health clinics, including Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics. Uses information from 175 online surveys with health clinic leaders from 38 states. Features statistics from participating clinics, with breakdowns by urban, suburban, rural, and remote locations, and type of clinic.
Additional links: Summary
Date: 10/2018
Sponsoring organization: Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response
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Public Law 95–210: Rural Health Clinic Services Act of 1977
Text of the Rural Health Clinic Services Act of 1977, Public Law 95–210 (December 13, 1977). This legislation established the Rural Health Clinic (RHC) designation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs and outlines details of the designation.
Date: 1977
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Congress
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Text of the Rural Health Clinic Services Act of 1977, Public Law 95–210 (December 13, 1977). This legislation established the Rural Health Clinic (RHC) designation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs and outlines details of the designation.
Date: 1977
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Congress
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FORHP Rural Hospital Technical Assistance Finder
A tool to help identify free technical assistance services available to rural hospitals and Rural Health Clinics from six Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) supported programs. Find matching TA providers based on facility type, location, and type of assistance.
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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A tool to help identify free technical assistance services available to rural hospitals and Rural Health Clinics from six Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) supported programs. Find matching TA providers based on facility type, location, and type of assistance.
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Rural Health Clinic Accreditation
Information on the Joint Commission survey process for Rural Health Clinic (RHC) accreditation.
Additional links: Rural Health Clinic Accreditation Organization Survey Activity Guide
Sponsoring organization: Joint Commission
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Information on the Joint Commission survey process for Rural Health Clinic (RHC) accreditation.
Additional links: Rural Health Clinic Accreditation Organization Survey Activity Guide
Sponsoring organization: Joint Commission
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NARHC REF RHC Data Portal
Interactive tool providing data on the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes used by Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) for services provided to Medicare beneficiaries. Uses a statistically adjusted sample of health care claims data and carrier file claims from 2019-2021. Data are searchable by claim year, code, and percentage and frequency of use.
Sponsoring organizations: Catherine Cutler Institute, National Association of Rural Health Clinics, National Association of Rural Health Clinics Research and Education Foundation
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Interactive tool providing data on the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes used by Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) for services provided to Medicare beneficiaries. Uses a statistically adjusted sample of health care claims data and carrier file claims from 2019-2021. Data are searchable by claim year, code, and percentage and frequency of use.
Sponsoring organizations: Catherine Cutler Institute, National Association of Rural Health Clinics, National Association of Rural Health Clinics Research and Education Foundation
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State Operations Manual Appendix G - Guidance for Surveyors: Rural Health Clinics (RHCs)
Provides details and interpretive guidelines clarifying the Rural Health Clinic (RHC) survey and certification processes.
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Provides details and interpretive guidelines clarifying the Rural Health Clinic (RHC) survey and certification processes.
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Quality, Safety & Oversight - Guidance to Laws & Regulations: Rural Health Clinics
Provides basic information about survey protocols and interpretive guidelines for Rural Health Clinics. Includes links to Appendix G of the State Operations Manual and related information.
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Provides basic information about survey protocols and interpretive guidelines for Rural Health Clinics. Includes links to Appendix G of the State Operations Manual and related information.
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Last Updated: 3/31/2025