The bill (H.R 5190) “Specialty Treatment to Access and Referrals Act of 2019” (STAR Act) sponsored by Representatives Josh Harder (D-CA), Don Young (R-AK), Jeff Fortenberry (D-IL), and Xochitl Torres Small (D-NM) and Gregory Steube (R-FL) was introduced November 20, 2019 to amend the “Public Health Service Act” would help health centers and rural health clinics implement electronic provider consultations and related telemedicine services.
A pilot program was included in bill (H.R 5190) that would enable pilot projects to test the effectiveness of E-Consult services and related telehealth services. These services would be located at networks, centers, and clinics.
For a health center or rural health clinic to qualify to participate in a pilot program and be eligible to receive a grant, centers and clinics must:
- Show that their health center or rural health clinic can qualify to participate in the pilot if their location lacks access to medical specialty care and has not already implemented E-Consulting and telemedicine /telehealth services
- Have sufficient expertise and experience to successfully provide assistance to health centers and rural health clinics
- Be able to produce evidence of sufficient participation commitments received from eligible health centers and rural health clinics
- Show the likelihood of successfully accomplishing the program objectives
Grant funding provided between FY 2021-2025 to an eligible health center or rural health clinic may not exceed $200,000 for each center or clinic location. In the case of an award to an eligible health center controlled network, the grant amount may not exceed $5,000,000.
Funds for pilot projects can be used to:
- Assess participating facilities infrastructure as it pertains to broadband, equipment, and software, clinical objectives, and staffing
- Develop and assist in equipment and software procurement
- Provide training for staff in the facility on how to use technology
- Provide clinical workflow training
- Provide integrated certified EHR technology to support live video and E-Consult services
- Procure information technology and undertake minor alterations of physical space
For more information, go to https://congress.gov