Windstream to Pay $1.2M for RHC Violations

Windstream agreed to pay $1.2 million and entered into a consent decree after an investigation into whether the provider violated FCC rural healthcare program rules on the determination of rural rates for services provided from FY 2017 through FY 2020, said an Enforcement Bureau order Tuesday. The settlement includes about $1 million in repayment to the Universal Service Fund and a $200,000 fine. Windstream "failed to use any of the three rate-setting methods available to service providers" and "has not been able to provide the commission with documents sufficient to demonstrate the processes used to set its rural rates," the order said. Windstream agreed to implement "enhanced compliance measures" as part of its participation in the program. “To facilitate the proper distribution of funds for these limited and invaluable resources, we vigorously pursue violations of the commission’s rural healthcare rules to ensure that funds designated for rural areas and health care providers are available to program participants with no entity receiving an improper or disproportionate share,” said acting Enforcement Bureau Chief Loyaan Egal. Windstream is "pleased that this matter has concluded," emailed a spokesperson.