Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Return to Search

Rural Health Clinic/Federally Qualified Health Center

Guidance for Conditions for Coverage (CfCs) and Conditions of Participations (CoPs) for Rural Health Clinic/Federally Qualified Health Centers.

Issued by: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Issue Date: April 10, 2013

Publication and effective dates:

Original publication date Conditions for Certification- Rural Health Clinics (RHC) – 1978; effective, Feb 8, 1978 Conditions for Certification; July 1, 1978 Coverage and Reimbursement  Requirements

Coverage and Payment for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) – April 3, 1996; effective May 3, 1996

CFR section numbers:

    42 CFR Part 491

CFR section descriptions:

    42 CFR 491.1, Rural health clinics Conditions for Certification and FQHCs Conditions for Coverage

Brief description of document(s):

    42 CFR 491.1 -- Rural health clinics Conditions for Certification and FQHCs Conditions for Coverage.  These are health and safety standards that RHCs and FQHCs must comply with in order to qualify for Medicare reimbursement.

HHS is committed to making its websites and documents accessible to the widest possible audience, including individuals with disabilities. We are in the process of retroactively making some documents accessible. If you need assistance accessing an accessible version of this document, please reach out to the guidance@hhs.gov.

DISCLAIMER: The contents of this database lack the force and effect of law, except as authorized by law (including Medicare Advantage Rate Announcements and Advance Notices) or as specifically incorporated into a contract. The Department may not cite, use, or rely on any guidance that is not posted on the guidance repository, except to establish historical facts.