What are Rural Health Clinics

The Rural Health Clinic (RHC) program is intended to increase access to primary care services for patients in rural communities. RHCs can be public, nonprofit, or for-profit healthcare facilities.

To receive certification, they must be located in rural, underserved areas. They are required to use a team approach of physicians working with non-physician providers such as nurse practitioners (NP), physician assistants (PA), and certified nurse midwives (CNM) to provide services.

The clinic must be staffed at least 50% of the time with an NP, PA, or CNM (requirement waived during COVID-19 public health emergency). RHCs are required to provide outpatient primary care services and basic laboratory services.