diff --git a/web3_proxy/src/rpcs/one.rs b/web3_proxy/src/rpcs/one.rs
index 0e5f628f..fe296024 100644
--- a/web3_proxy/src/rpcs/one.rs
+++ b/web3_proxy/src/rpcs/one.rs
@@ -743,7 +743,7 @@ impl Web3Rpc {
         let mut abort_handles = vec![];
 
         // health check that runs if there haven't been any recent requests
-        if let Some(block_and_rpc_sender) = block_and_rpc_sender.clone() {
+        let health_handle = if let Some(block_and_rpc_sender) = block_and_rpc_sender.clone() {
             // TODO: move this into a proper function
             let rpc = self.clone();
             let block_map = block_map.clone();
@@ -758,7 +758,7 @@ impl Web3Rpc {
                 let mut old_total_requests = 0;
                 let mut new_total_requests;
 
-                // errors here should not cause the loop to exit!
+                // errors here should not cause the loop to exit! only mark unhealthy
                 loop {
                     new_total_requests = rpc.internal_requests.load(atomic::Ordering::Relaxed)
                         + rpc.external_requests.load(atomic::Ordering::Relaxed);
@@ -806,14 +806,39 @@ impl Web3Rpc {
 
             self.healthy.store(initial_check, atomic::Ordering::Relaxed);
 
-            let h = tokio::spawn(f);
-            let a = h.abort_handle();
-
-            futures.push(h);
-            abort_handles.push(a);
+            tokio::spawn(f)
         } else {
             self.healthy.store(true, atomic::Ordering::Relaxed);
-        }
+
+            let rpc = self.clone();
+            let health_sleep_seconds = 60;
+
+            let f = async move {
+                // errors here should not cause the loop to exit! only mark unhealthy
+                loop {
+                    // TODO: if this fails too many times, reset the connection
+                    if let Err(err) = rpc.check_provider(chain_id).await {
+                        rpc.healthy.store(false, atomic::Ordering::Relaxed);
+
+                        // TODO: if rate limit error, set "retry_at"
+                        if rpc.backup {
+                            warn!(?err, "provider check on {} failed", rpc);
+                        } else {
+                            error!(?err, "provider check on {} failed", rpc);
+                        }
+                    } else {
+                        rpc.healthy.store(true, atomic::Ordering::Relaxed);
+                    }
+
+                    sleep(Duration::from_secs(health_sleep_seconds)).await;
+                }
+            };
+
+            tokio::spawn(f)
+        };
+
+        abort_handles.push(health_handle.abort_handle());
+        futures.push(health_handle);
 
         // subscribe to new heads
         if let Some(block_and_rpc_sender) = block_and_rpc_sender.clone() {
@@ -853,23 +878,10 @@ impl Web3Rpc {
             }
         }
 
-        if futures.is_empty() {
-            // we didn't have anything to subscribe to. what should happen?
-            let clone = self.clone();
+        // exit if any of the futures exit
+        let (first_exit, _, _) = select_all(futures).await;
 
-            loop {
-                sleep(Duration::from_secs(60)).await;
-                if self.should_disconnect() {
-                    break;
-                }
-            }
-        } else {
-            // exit if any of the futures exit
-            // TODO: have an enum for which one exited?
-            let (first_exit, _, _) = select_all(futures).await;
-
-            debug!(?first_exit, "subscriptions on {} exited", self);
-        }
+        debug!(?first_exit, "subscriptions on {} exited", self);
 
         // clear the head block
         if let Some(block_and_rpc_sender) = block_and_rpc_sender {