With several carriers
- A different carrier for each site
- Separate contracts and bills
- You find out which carrier owns the problem
USAC Rural Health Care Program
One network. One number to call. Every site.
Charger Access connects rural clinics, health departments and hospitals through one network that runs back to our own data center. When something goes down, you call us, not three different carriers.
A track record you can check
Since FY2016In the program every funding year
191Health care sites served
16States
SPIN 143045344Look us up in USAC Open Data
Funded requests in USAC's Rural Health Care commitments data, FY2016 to FY2026.
One vendor
Your sites cross carrier lines. Your support doesn't have to.
Rural organizations often have sites in different carriers' territories. When a circuit drops, that means several carriers, several ticket numbers and a lot of time on hold while each one points at the other. Charger Access brings every last-mile provider back to our own data center, so we see the whole network and you have one contact for all of it.
With Charger Access
- Every site on one network back to our data center
- One contract, one bill
- One number to call, and we own the problem
Budget Relief
Pay the rate you planned for, from your first bill.
When health care sites switch providers, they can end up paying full commercial rates until their USAC funding is approved. With Budget Relief, you pay the urban rate (Telecom Program) or your 35% share (Healthcare Connect Fund) from your first bill. We wait for USAC support instead of billing you full commercial rates in the meantime.
USAC support is subject to approval.
How the program works
Six steps. Here is where we fit.
The Rural Health Care Program runs the same way every funding year. Your organization leads the first steps on its own. We bid like every other provider, and after you select us we work through the rest with you.
- You
Determine your eligibility.
You file FCC Form 460.
- You
Request services.
You set your evaluation criteria and post your Form 465 (Telecom) or Form 461 (HCF) for at least 28 days. We stay out of this step, as program rules require.
- You · Charger Access
Evaluate bids and select a provider.
We respond to your posted request with a bid, from the same information every provider gets.
- You · Charger Access
Submit your funding request.
After you select us, we supply the contract, billing and rate documentation your request needs, and answer USAC's questions on our side.
- You · Charger Access
Start service.
We turn up your service and confirm the service dates you certify.
- You · Charger Access
Invoice USAC.
Telecom Program: we file the invoice (Form 469) after you pay the urban rate. Healthcare Connect Fund: you file Form 463 and we certify it.
What we provide
Connectivity, voice and networks for rural health care.
Connectivity
Dedicated internet and data circuits sized for each site, from a single clinic to a multi-site network.
Diverse path
A second, physically separate route into your site, so one cut line does not take you offline.
Managed networks
We run the network between your sites and our data center, and watch it so problems get found early.
Voice
Voice, SIP trunks, PRI and eFax for our connectivity customers.
What USAC supports depends on the program, the site and the service.
Two programs
Telecom Program first. HCF when it fits.
Telecom Program (Voice and Data)
Your site pays the urban rate for eligible services. The program supports the difference between the urban and rural rates, which varies by site.
Healthcare Connect Fund (Broadband)
A flat 65% discount on eligible expenses. Your organization pays 35% from eligible sources.
We focus on the Telecom Program and bid HCF when it is the better fit for your site. Eligibility and USAC approval apply to both.
Who you talk to
A team that knows your account.
Our whole team is in-house and based in the U.S. When you call, you reach people who know your sites, your circuits and your program dates.
Planning for FY2027?
Tell us about your sites and the services you use today. When your organization posts its request, we will respond with a bid.