RHC Resources
Whether you're launching a new Rural Health Clinic or looking to strengthen an existing one, this resource library is designed to support you every step of the way. Here you’ll find tools for certification, compliance, billing, workforce development, telehealth integration, and more. From technical assistance and national advocacy to training programs and Montana-specific support, these curated links connect you with trusted partners and essential guidance to help your clinic thrive in rural and underserved communities.
CMS Rural Health Open Door Forum
The Rural Health Open Door Forum (ODF) addresses Rural Health Clinic (RHC), Critical Access Hospital (CAH) and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) issues, as well as some inclusion of other questions and concerns that occur in clinical practice pertaining to other CMS payment systems that also extend into these settings. eligibility, billing requirements and compliance.
The Rural Health Clinics (RHC) Center, managed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), serves as a comprehensive resource for information related to RHCs. RHCs are healthcare facilities located in rural, underserved areas, established to enhance access to primary care services in these communities. They receive special Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements to support their operations.
National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC)
NARHC hosts various types of webinars for the RHC community, keeping them up to date with the latest regulations, best practices, and new opportunities. Whether new to the RHC world or a career-long professional, everyone is likely to benefit from this education. We encourage you to share these educational opportunities with anyone who you feel will benefit from it! All webinar slides and recordings are available.
Montana State Operations Manual – Appendix G for RHCs
This CMS manual provides the official interpretive guidelines and survey procedures for Rural Health Clinics. Appendix G is the primary resource used by state surveyors to evaluate compliance during certification and recertification visits. It offers detailed explanations of each regulatory requirement, making it an essential tool for clinic administrators and staff preparing for or maintaining RHC status.
Key Regulations for Rural Health Clinics
Hosted by the National Association of Rural Health Clinics, this webpage compiles the core federal regulations that govern RHCs. It includes links to the Rural Health Clinic Services Act, relevant sections of the Social Security Act, and CMS regulations that define staffing, services, and reimbursement requirements. This is a go-to reference for staying compliant and informed.
Montana DPHHS Certification Bureau
The Certification Bureau within the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) oversees licensing and certification for healthcare facilities, including Rural Health Clinics. This office is a key contact for providers seeking initial RHC certification, ongoing compliance support, and guidance on state-level regulatory requirements. Clinics can find application materials, survey information, and contact details for state surveyors through the Certification Bureau’s website.
Noridian is the Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) for Montana and processes Medicare claims for Rural Health Clinics and other healthcare providers. As your go-to resource for Medicare billing, reimbursement guidance, and enrollment updates, Noridian offers tools, forms, and support to help ensure timely and accurate claims processing. Their website includes provider education, policy updates, and contact information for technical assistance.
CMS Rural Health Clinics Center
The Rural Health Clinics Center on CMS.gov serves as a centralized hub for federal guidance related to RHCs. This resource includes official regulations, billing and coding updates, policy manuals, survey protocols, and provider enrollment information. Whether you're navigating compliance requirements or seeking clarification on Medicare reimbursement, the RHC Center is an essential source for up-to-date information straight from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC)
NARHC is the leading national organization exclusively focused on Rural Health Clinics. Their website offers a wide range of resources including policy updates, advocacy tools, educational webinars, and certification programs tailored for RHC professionals. Whether you're seeking regulatory clarity, billing guidance, or professional development opportunities, NARHC is a trusted resource and advocate for the RHC community nationwide.
State-Level
QCOR hosts the most up-to-date list of certified Rural Health Clinics in Montana. To view the full directory:
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Click the link above to open the QCOR website.
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In the blue menu on the left, click “Rural Health Clinics (RHCs)” under Providers and Suppliers.
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At the top of the blue menu on the new page, click “Search”.
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On the search page, select Montana from the State dropdown list.
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Click the Search button at the bottom to view results.
Rural Health Clinic Association of Washington (RHCAW)
RHCAW is committed to maintaining healthcare access in rural areas and serves as a representative voice for RHCs to citizens, legislators, and state and federal agencies. They provide resources, education, and advocacy for their members.
This network comprises 24 independently governed rural hospitals in Washington State. The Collaborative focuses on shared services, value-based contracting, and peer networking to enhance healthcare delivery and performance among its members.
Washington Rural Health Association (WRHA)
Established in 1988, WRHA unites individuals and organizations to support rural healthcare throughout the state, recognizing the unique characteristics and needs of rural communities.
The Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA)
A member-led organization that advocates for and provides value to hospitals and health systems in Washington State. Its mission is to support its members in achieving their goals and improving the health of the communities they serve.
National-Level
National Rural Health Association
A nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health care in rural America. Established in 1978, the NRHA provides leadership on rural health issues through advocacy, communication, education, and research.
National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC)
The sole national organization dedicated exclusively to improving the delivery of quality, cost-effective healthcare in rural underserved areas through the Rural Health Clinics (RHC) Program. NARHC's mission is to educate and advocate for Rural Health Clinics, enhancing their ability to deliver cost-effective, quality healthcare to patients in rural, underserved communities.
Critical Access Hospital Coalition
This consortium comprises healthcare leaders representing CAHs nationwide. The member-driven coalition focuses solely on critical issues impacting CAHs, working to help federal policymakers understand the unique needs of these hospitals, with the goal of ensuring that high-quality healthcare is sustained in rural areas.
Rural Workforce Innovation Network
The US Department of Agriculture established the Rural Workforce Innovation Network (RWIN) to create a forum for public and private partners to help increase access to workforce opportunities in rural America. This network seeks to engage a wide range of government entities, colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations, private businesses, chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, as well as individuals who are actively working to enhance workforce development in their local communities.
Training & Certification Programs
Certified Rural Health Clinic Professional (CRHCP)
Offered by the National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC), this program is designed for directors, clinic administrators, and other RHC leaders. It covers federal and state regulations, billing and coding, financial management, and human resources. The course includes 15-20 hours of online coursework, culminating in a proctored exam.
Rural Health Nurse Certification Program
Developed by the National Rural Health Association (NRHA), this program equips rural nurses with the necessary skills and knowledge for high-quality care in rural settings. The curriculum covers health trends in rural America, leadership, communication, quality improvement, and more.
Rural Hospital CEO Certification Program
In response to the rural hospital CEO Turnover Study and hospital closure crisis, we are introducing the Rural Hospital CEO Certification Program to arm rural CEOs with the competencies and skill sets to take on the unique challenges of rural hospitals and be or continue to be a top performing rural hospital CEO.
Rural Hospital CNO Certification Program
Developed by successful rural hospital CNOs for rural hospital CNOs with the intent of assisting current rural hospital CNOs to strengthen their leadership skills to help lead their hospital to success.
Rural Hospital CFO Certification Program
Developed by successful rural hospital CFOs for rural hospital CFOs with the intent of assisting current rural hospital CFOs to strengthen their leadership skills to help lead their hospital to success.
Rural Hospital Physician Leader Certification Program
Physician leadership is paramount to the success and health of rural hospitals and communities. With the constantly changing healthcare landscape, there has never been a more crucial time for physician leaders and CMOs to have the tools, knowledge, and network of peers and experts they need to thrive in their roles. These are things you don’t learn in medical school.
Rural Hospital HR Certification Program
The increasing rates of employee burnout and turnover, coupled with the struggle to recruit and retain staff, are just some of the everyday obstacles faced by rural hospital HR Leaders. Along with constantly changing policies and regulations and a lack of resources across the board, there has never been a more crucial time to support rural hospital HR Leaders.
Rural Hospital Board Certification Program
Board leadership is paramount to the success and health of rural hospitals and communities. With the constantly changing healthcare landscape, there has never been a more crucial time for Board Trustees to have the tools, knowledge, and network of peers and experts they need to thrive in their roles. Providing leadership within a rural hospital, however is different, one of the resounding reasons for the creation of this program. This program was created for rural hospital Board Trustees by rural hospital Board Trustees.
Certified Coding and Billing Specialist
The Association for Rural & Community Health Professional Coding (ArchProCoding) offers certification programs focused on coding and billing education for Rural Health Clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and Critical Access Hospitals. These programs are available online, allowing for flexible learning.
National Rural Recruitment and Retention Network, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting healthcare professionals with career opportunities in rural and underserved communities across the United States. Established in 1995, 3RNET collaborates with a network of members and coordinators in every state to facilitate these connections.
The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) is a program under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, specifically within the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Established in 1972, the NHSC's mission is to improve access to primary healthcare services in underserved communities across the United States. It achieves this by offering financial support to healthcare providers in exchange for their commitment to serve in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs).
The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) and the Montana Primary Care Office are committed to improving access to primary medical and mental health care by participating in the U.S. Department of State Conrad 30 J-1 Visa Waiver program. Foreign medical graduates may apply for a J-1 visa waiver with a commitment to work in a healthcare shortage area.
The State of Montana can recommend up to thirty (30) visa waivers each year for primary care physicians or psychiatrists. A maximum of ten (10) flex positions are available to specialty care physicians. Preference is given to physicians working in primary care such as Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Obstetrics/Gynecology, and Psychiatry. Additional preference is given to physicians completing a residency program in the State of Montana. The J-1 visa waiver program application cycle runs from October to September each year.
The J-1 physician must agree to work at a health facility in a designated Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) or Medically Underserved Area/Population (MUA/P) for three (3) years on a full-time basis, no less than 40 hours a week, and begin working within 90 days of receiving the J-1 visa waiver. Visa waiver recommendations are reviewed by the Montana Primary Care Office and forwarded to the U.S. Department of State.
National Interest Waiver Program
Foreign physicians that have worked for two years in a designated underserved area with a J-1 visa waiver may apply for a National Interest Waiver (NIW) to extend their stay while working in a designated health professional shortage area in Montana. NIW public interest letter applications may be filed before the completion of the J-1 visa waiver, but the total time of employment under the NIW must be at least five years. There is no limit on the number of NIW applicants the Montana PCO may support in a year.
Montana Health Network - Community Health Worker Program
The Montana Community Health Worker (CHW) Fundamentals training provides the knowledge and skills necessary to become a Community Health Worker. The instructor-guided curriculum takes approximately seven weeks (85 hours) to complete and consists of four 15-hour Learning Modules and a 25-hour on-the-job Supervised Experience taken at the completion of the four Modules. Each Module contains written content, videos, application activities, case studies, and reflective journaling. An individual will gain skills in the following areas: professional skills & conduct; communication, self-care, interpersonal relationships; outreach, navigation & coordination; organization; advocacy; capacity building & teaching. The CHW training is facilitated by an instructor and provides a certificate upon completion. *A trainee must be sponsored by an employer prior to beginning the training, as the 25-hour Supervised Experience is required to complete the course.
Veterans Administration – Provider Education and Training
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a comprehensive suite of educational resources to equip community providers with the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver high-quality care to Veterans. These resources are accessible through the Veterans Health Administration's Training Finder Real-time Affiliate Integration.
CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)
Published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the MMWR is a critical source of timely public health information and recommendations. Rural health professionals can use this publication to stay updated on emerging health trends, disease outbreaks, and evidence-based practices relevant to their communities.
Defined as the use of telecommunications and information technology to provide access to health assessment, diagnosis, intervention, consultation, supervision, and information across distances. This includes modalities such as secure portal messaging, secure instant messaging, telephone communication, and audiovisual communication.
CMS MLN Fact Sheet- Telehealth Services
A fact sheet published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in April 2024. It provides comprehensive information on Medicare's policies regarding telehealth services, including updates and guidelines for healthcare providers.
The National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC) - Telehealth Policy & Resources
NARHC provides various resources to assist RHCs in navigating the evolving telehealth landscape, including policy updates, advocacy tools, and educational materials. For detailed information and the latest updates, RHCs are encouraged to visit NARHC's Telehealth Policy page.
Northwest Regional Telehealth Resource Center
Serving a seven-state region, including Montana, NRTRC provides technical assistance, program support, education, and information to telehealth networks, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
Eastern Montana Telemedicine Network
The Eastern Montana Telemedicine Network (EMTN) is a partnership of local, regional, and national health care organizations. These partnerships provide access to critically needed clinical services, through state of the art telemedicine technology. Thousands have benefited from the services we provide.
Best Practice Guidelines for Integrating Telehealth
By following these best practices, your clinic can effectively integrate a successful and sustainable telehealth services program, improving access to care for your rural patient population.
Telehealth Grant Opportunities
Grant Funding for Telehealth Programs
Many rural programs rely on grant funding from federal agencies, state agencies, associations, and philanthropic organizations in order to sustain telehealth programs. The Rural Health Funding & Opportunities by Topic: Telehealth webpage has the most up-to-date information on funding options for rural communities.
Universal Service Administration Co. (USAC)
Rural Health Care Program - The Rural Health Care (RHC) program provides funding to eligible health care providers for telecommunications and broadband services needed to deliver health care. The goal of the program is to improve the quality of health care available to patients in rural communities by ensuring that eligible health care providers have access to telecommunications and broadband services. As an independent not-for-profit organization designated by the FCC, USAC administers the RHC program and all other programs associated with the Universal Service Fund (USF).
Telehealth Platforms
There are several telehealth platforms available. Below, are just a few. When selecting a telehealth platform, consider factors such as ease of use, integration capabilities with existing systems, and specific features that align with your practice's needs. Always ensure that the platform signs a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) to formalize its commitment to HIPAA compliance.
Questions?
Unable to find what you need or perhaps you have a resource you think should be on this page, please contact:
Natalie Claiborne
natalie.claiborne@montana.edu
406-994-6001