LAC 50:XI.16101. Purpose

A. The Rural Health Clinic (RHC) Act of 1977 authorized the development of rural health clinics to encourage and stabilize the provision of outpatient primary care in rural areas through cost-based reimbursement. B. Rural health clinic regulations distinguish between two types of rural health clinics. 1. The independent RHC is a free-standing practice that is not part of a hospital, skilled nursing facility, or home health agency. 2. The provider-based RHC is an integral and subordinate part of a hospital, skilled nursing facility, or home health agency. C. Rural health clinics improve the health status of Louisiana residents in rural and underserved areas by working proactively to build community health systems’ capacity to provide integrated, efficient and effective health care services.