*Updated 4/16/21*
The FCC announced the 7 day application window for $250M in COVID-19 Telehealth funding will open on April 29th, 2021 at 12:00 EST and will remain open through May 6th, 2021 at 12:00 EST.
Although applications cannot be submitted prior to April 29th, here are 5 steps to prepare now.
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In March 2021, the FCC announced it would award $250M to increase the capacity and quality of care for telehealth services by covering the costs associated with acquisition and implementation of these services. Each awardee is eligible for up to $1M in funding.
5 Steps To Prepare Now
- Complete the FCC form 460, and at least have an HCP (application) number assigned. Indicate on the application you are applying for the COVID-19 Telehealth Program.
- Register in the System Award Management program.
- Establish an FCC Registration Number (FRN), which can be completed via CORES.
- It is highly recommended to obtain a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) ID number and score via the HRSA site. The results from this score positively impact the FCC eligibility rating defined below.
- Be prepared to supply detailed information on the telecommunication services, information systems and devices (and their cost) that will be used to deliver care.
Applicant Eligibility
Eligibility of applicants will be based on the defined Rural Health Care (RHC) program statutory categories and includes public or not-for-profit hospitals, rural health clinics, community health centers, health centers serving migrants, community mental health centers, local health departments or agencies — and post-secondary educational institutions/teaching hospitals/medical schools. For-profit healthcare entities are ineligible to receive these funds.
Applicant Evaluation Metrics
Once the application window of 7 days closes, the FCC will evaluate and prioritize applicants considering:
- Hardest Hit Area: Location of the applicant, with higher scores going to providers located within a county defined as a “sustained hotspot” or a “hotspot”
- Low-Income Area: Total population of the provider’s service area falling below the federal poverty level (based on 2019 Census data)
- Round 1 Unfunded Applicants: Providers who applied in round 1 but did not receive funding
- Tribal Communities: Providers who are physically located on tribal lands
- Community Access Hospitals: Federally recognized Community Access Hospitals
- Federally Qualified Health Centers: Look-A–Like, or Disproportionate Share Hospitals
- Healthcare Provider Shortage Area: Scoring based on HRSA HPSA score (if scoring is complete)
- Round 2 New Applicant: Providers who did not apply for funds in round 1 of the program
- Rural County: Based on the county where the health center is located
Pivot Point Consulting Program Assistance
To support provider organizations seeking to participate in the FCC COVID-19 Telehealth Program funding, Pivot Point Consulting is offering pro bono advisory and regulatory insight on the program and upcoming application process. Use the form below to contact our telehealth experts directly.
