RHC and FQHC Location Requirements

20 - RHC and FQHC Location Requirements (Rev.239, Issued: 01-09-18, Effective: 1-22-18, Implementation: 1-22-18) To be eligible for certification as an RHC, a clinic must be located in 1) a non-urbanized area, as determined by the U.S. Census Bureau, and 2) an area designated or certified within the previous 4 years by the Secretary, HHS, in any one of the four types of shortage area designations that are accepted for RHC certification as listed in section 20.2. A clinic applying to become a Medicare-certified RHC must meet both the rural and underserved location requirements. Mobile clinics must have a fixed schedule that specifies the date and location for services, and each location must meet the location requirements. Existing RHCs are not currently required to continue to meet the location requirements. RHCs that plan to relocate or expand should contact their Regional Office (RO) to determine their location requirements. FQHCs may be located in rural or urban areas. FQHCs that are Health Center Program Grantees or Look-Alikes must be located in or serve people from a HRSA-designated MUA or MUP.