FCC Unveils Nearly $42 Million in New Telehealth Awards

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The FCC on Thursday approved an initial set of 62 applications for funding commitments totaling $41.98 million for Round 2 of its COVID-19 Telehealth Program. Health care providers in each state, territory, and the District of Columbia, will use this funding to provide telehealth services during the coronavirus pandemic. The awards also included those previously unfunded in Round 1.

The FCC’s COVID-19 Telehealth Program reimburses health care providers for telecommunications services, information services, and connected devices necessary to enable telehealth during the pandemic.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, access to health care has proven to be not only a national issue, but also a local issue, and it is imperative that every community is given the tools to access this care as safely and effectively as possible,” said FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “The FCC took action earlier this year to establish a system for rating applications in Round 2, factoring in the hardest hit and lowest-income areas, tribal communities, and previously unfunded states and territories. Now, even more doctors and nurses in every corner of our country can establish or expand telehealth services to support patients and their families.”  

This first set of awards will go to applications that qualify for the equitable distribution step, as required by Congress and outlined in the FCC’s rules, to ensure nationwide distribution of funding to health care providers in each state, territory, and the District of Columbia. This step funds the highest-scoring applications in every area, plus the second highest-scoring application from the states and territories that did not receive funding in Round 1, if multiple applications were submitted from those areas.

Round 2 is a $249.95 million federal initiative that builds on the $200 million program established as part of the CARES Act. Now that funding has been committed to the highest-scoring applications from each area, the next awards will commit funding to the highest-scoring applications, regardless of geography, until at least $150 million has been committed. The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau will then announce an opportunity for all remaining applicants to supplement their applications, as required by Congress. After all remaining applicants have the opportunity to supplement, the remaining program funding will be committed.  

Click here to read a list of healthcare providers that were approved for funding (alphabetically by state).

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