On April 2, 2020, the FCC established their “COVID-19 Telehealth Program” to provide $200 million to help eligible healthcare providers respond to the pandemic by funding telecommunications services, information services, and devices to provide critical connected care services until the pandemic has ended.
Specifically, applicants may seek funding under 3 categories:
- Telecommunications Services and Broadband Connectivity Services—Voice services, and internet connectivity services for healthcare providers or their patients
- Information Services—Remote patient monitoring platforms and services, patient reported outcome platforms, store and forward services, such as asynchronous transfer of patient images and data for interpretation by a physician, to provide synchronous video consultations
- Internet Connected Devices/Equipment—Tablets, smart phones, or connected devices to receive connected care service at home for patients, for healthcare providers to use, along with telemedicine kiosks/carts located at the healthcare provider’s site
In addition, COVID-19 Telehealth Program support will be available to eligible healthcare providers for services that require monthly recurring charges, such as broadband connectivity or for remote patient monitoring services, through September 30, 2020.
Applications for the COVID-19 Telehealth Program which began April 13, 2020, may be submitted to https://www.fcc.gov/covid-19-telehealth-program. To download the application form, go to https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/covid-19-telehealth-application-form.pdf.
Interested providers must complete three steps to apply for funding:
- First obtain an Eligibility Determination from the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). Applicants that do not have an Eligibility Determination from USAC can still file an application with FCC’s COVID-19 Telehealth Program while their FCC Form 460 is pending with USAC. For form 460, go to https://www.usac.org/rural-health-care/resources/forms. For questions, email EmergencyTelehealthSupport@fcc.gov
- Obtain an FCC Registration Number (FRN) in the Commission Registration System (CORES). For help, go to https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin.do.
- Register with the System for Award Management
For additional information on the COVID-19 Telehealth Program, go to the Rural Health Information Hub site at https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/funding/4911