Promoting Community Health Worker Sustainability Hinges on Fostering Innovation
Tonne McCoy – National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health
Exciting news for Certified Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) under the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). RHCs 
and FQHCs can now join other primary care clinics being reimbursed on the physician fee schedule because reimbursement is now available for Community Health Integration (CHI) services and others!
You read it right: fee for service providers have been reimbursed for some time now, but starting January 1, 2024, CMS is greenlighting payment for various codes falling under the General Care Management Services category (G0511), with a current rate of $71.71. Notably, this includes Community Health Integration Services and Principal Illness Navigation Services.
Accreditation Agencies for Rural Health Clinics
The Compliance Team – Rural Health Clinic Accreditation & Reaccreditation Readiness
Tips, resources, and answers to be prepared.
Quad A – Global Accreditation Authority
Thorough processes, expert surveyors, and consultative approach – offering clearly defined criteria and scheduling processes so there are never any surprises.
The Joint Commission
New! Accreditation for Rural Health Clinics. The Joint Commission’s Rural Health Clinic Accreditation Program was developed to help improve quality and safety for patients in rural communities who are seeking preventive and specialized outpatient care.
The documents below will help facilitate the creation of Rural Health Clinics (RHC).
HPSA Designation
This is the letter from HRSA approving the Governor’s HPSA designation request.
Click HERE for letter.
RHC or FQHC
A 46 page HRSA document from 2006 that gives details that may be helpful to those considering establishing a Rural Health Clinic. Whether you are a hospital, a non-profit practice, or for profit private practice, this information can provide information and additional sources for your decision making process. Published by CMS (Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services)
Click HERE
WY Office of Healthcare Licensing and Surveys
Rural Health Clinic Certification Information can be found HERE
Starting a Rural Health Clinic - CMS Guidance
A HRSA publication on how to start a Rural Heatlh Clinic. This is a 166 page document from 2004. HRSA confirmed on 1/19/23 that it was the most current.
Click HERE
Guidance to Surveyors: Rural Health Clinics (RHCs)
Guidance for surveyors to help current and future RHCs know what their surveyor is going to expect.
Click HERE
MLN Booklet - Rural Health Centers (RHC's)
Knowledge, Resources, and Training from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Click HERE for the Booklet
Frequently Asked Questions.
A link to Rural Health Information Hub’s RHC question and answer page. This includes an overview of a generic step by step process to become certified as a Rural Health Clinic.
Click HERE
This website is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totalling $893,640 with 0% financed with non-gvernmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.