13 April, 2023 13:39

April 13, 2023
The 2023 NHSC Site Application Cycle is opening soon!
The 2023 NHSC Site Application Cycle is opening soon! Eligible healthcare facilities can apply to become National Health Service Corps (NHSC)-approved sites.

What are the benefits of becoming an NHSC site? As an NHSC-approved site, HRSA can assist in your organization’s efforts to recruit, hire, and retain clinicians.

  • When do site application cycles open? A new site application cycle opens every year. The new site application cycle is for sites that:
    • Have never been approved for NHSC, including sites that have applied and had their application denied or canceled
    • Are currently inactive for NHSC due to expiration or past compliance issues

*For those organizations that already have active NHSC-Approved Sites – The renewal cycle to keep your active status will be open later in the year.

  • How long is the application cycle open? In a typical cycle, you have six to eight weeks to submit your site application.
  • What should I do before I apply? Read the Site Reference Guide. It details everything we expect of NHSC-approved sites. Read the NHSC Site Agreement. Gather or create all required documentation. Create an account or log into the BHW Customer Service Portal. All of this information can be found https://nhsc.hrsa.gov/sites/how-to-apply
  • What site types are eligible to apply?
    • Federally-Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs): Community Health Center, Migrant Health, Homeless Program, Public Housing Program, School-Based Program, Mobile Clinic
    • FQHC Look-Alikes (LALs)
    • American Indian Health Facilities: Indian Health Service Facilities, Tribally-Operated 638 Health Programs, and Urban Indian Health Programs (ITUs)
    • Federal Prisons
    • State Prisons
    • Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Certified Rural Health Clinics: Provider-based and Independent
    • Critical Access Hospitals (CAH)
    • Community Mental Health Centers (CMHC)
    • State or Local Health Departments
    • Community Outpatient Facilities: Hospital-affiliated and Non-hospital-affiliated
    • Private Practices (Solo or Group)
    • School-Based Clinics
    • Mobile Units
    • Free Clinics
    • Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment Facilities: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)-certified Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs), Office-Based Opioid Treatment (OBOT) facilities, and Non-opioid outpatient SUD treatment facilities

If you need help with this process, please let us know. You can also sign up for updates from NHSC regarding the application cycle at this link: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USHHSHRSA/subscriber/new?topic_id=USHHSHRSA_134

Telehealth Billing Changes for RHCs Beginning October 1, 2026

If your Rural Health Clinic provides telehealth services, an important billing change is coming this fall. Beginning October 1, 2026, Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) will no longer bill HCPCS code G2025 for distant site...

read more
Global Maternity CPT Codes Are Going Away

If your Rural Health Clinic provides obstetrical care, an important coding change is on the horizon. Beginning January 1, 2027, the American Medical Association (AMA) is deleting the long-standing global maternity care CPT codes that bundle antepartum care, labor and...

read more
Don’t Let Vaccine Billing Become an Operational Gap

Beginning July 1, 2025, Rural Health Clinics are required to bill these preventive vaccines and their administration at the time of service: Influenza (regular and high dose) Pneumococcal (all types) Hepatitis B COVID-19 This wasn't simply a billing update—it changed...

read more
A Legacy Rooted in Rural Health Care

Many people in the RHC community recognize the Ron Nelson Award, presented annually by the National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC) to honor individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, service, and advocacy on behalf of RHCs. What many may...

read more
Medicare Extends Medical Telehealth Billing

Medicare has extended medical telehealth billing for RHCs using CPT code G2025 through December 31, 2026. Effective January 1, 2026, Medicare has updated the virtual communication codes for RHCs, terming G0071 and replacing it with 3 codes: 98016, G2010 and G2250. For...

read more