On April 2, the FCC released a Report and Order establishing the COVID-19 Telehealth Program. The Information collection requirements in the order are now in effect, according to a Federal Register notice.
The COVID-19 Telehealth Program will provide $200 million in funding, appropriated by Congress as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, to help health care providers provide connected care services to patients at their homes or mobile locations in response to the pandemic. The program will provide immediate support to eligible providers responding to the pandemic by fully funding their telecommunications services, information services, and devices necessary to provide critical connected care services until the program’s funds have been expended or the emergency has ended.
In order to ensure as many applicants as possible receive available funding, the agency doesn’t anticipate awarding more than $1 million to any single applicant. Examples of services and devices that telehealth program applicants may seek funding for include:
- Telecommunications Services and Broadband Connectivity Services: Voice services, and internet connectivity services for health care 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; platforms and services to provide synchronous video consultation.
- Internet Connected Devices/Equipment: tablets, smart phones, or connected devices to receive connected care services at home (e.g, broadband enabled blood pressure monitors; pulse-ox) for patient or provider use; telemedicine kiosks/carts for health care provider site.
Eligible providers that purchased telecommunications services, information services, and/or devices in response to the pandemic after March 13, may apply. In addition, COVID-19 Telehealth Program support will be available to eligible providers for services that require monthly recurring charges, such as broadband connectivity or remote patient monitoring services, through September 30, 2020.
The agency provides guidance on how to apply here.
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