Federal financial assistance is now available to support provider telehealth needs. 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 healthcare providers fund technology and equipment to bolster service delivery via telehealth. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is charged with distributing these funds and accepting applications.
The program will provide immediate support by fully funding telecommunications services, information services and devices necessary to deliver connected care services to patients at their homes or mobile locations. The program will last until the funds have been expended or the pandemic ends.
The application portal opened on Monday, April 13, and we are working with eligible providers to submit eligible applications.
Who is eligible to apply?
The COVID-19 Telehealth Program is limited to nonprofit and public eligible healthcare providers that fall within the categories of healthcare providers in section 254(h)(7)(B) of the 1996 Telecommunications Act, which include: (1) post-secondary educational institutions offering healthcare instruction, teaching hospitals, and medical schools; (2) community health centers or health centers providing healthcare to migrants; (3) local health departments or agencies; (4) community mental health centers; (5) not-for-profit hospitals; (6) rural health clinics; (7) skilled nursing facilities; or (8) consortia of healthcare providers consisting of one or more entities falling into the first seven categories. The COVID-19 Telehealth Program is open to eligible healthcare provider sites that treat patients, whether located in rural or non-rural areas or U.S. territories.
What are eligible costs?
Eligible costs include those associated with telecommunications services, information services, and devices needed and implemented to assist healthcare providers in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic that will be or were incurred after March 13, 2020. Additionally, recurring monthly costs associated with services such as broadband connectivity and remote patient monitoring until September 30, 2020, can be funded through this program.
The FCC has provided a helpful FAQ document that addresses more detailed questions regarding eligible costs.
What is the application process?
In order to apply for funding, applicants must:
✔ Register for an FCC Registration Number in the Commission Registration System (CORES).
✔ Obtain an eligibility determination from Universal Service Administration Company (USAC).
✔ Register with the System of Award Management (SAM).
✔ Complete and submit the COVID-19 Telehealth Program application online or by email.
All registrations can be accomplished rather quickly and must either be completed or pending prior to the submission of the application.
When preparing your application, it is helpful to gather statistics on the community health needs of your service area, your organization’s historical healthcare experience prior to COVID-19 and real-time data as it relates to the COVID-19 impact on your organization. Applicants should be sure to have a clear goal for utilizing award funds, and this goal should include how you intend on measuring the success of implementing the services or use of devices you acquire.
Please contact Meghan McNamara at mmcnamara@manatt.com with any questions on the application process and if you need assistance with any component of this application process.