The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced the filing window for the second round of applications for the COVID-19 Telehealth Program will open April 29.
In the 2020 year-end spending bill, Congress appropriated an additional nearly $250 million for the COVID-19 Telehealth Program. Through this program, eligible health care providers can apply for funding for information services, telecommunications services, and devices to provide telehealth during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
The new filing window will open at noon ET on April 29 and will close at noon ET on May 6, 2021.
FCC plans to distribute at least $150 million during this application window. The agency will award funding in two phases so applicants have the opportunity to provide supplemental information if they initially are denied funding.
FCC will evaluate each application based on a rating system, which will assign points based on varying factors; the maximum 15 points will go to providers in areas hardest hit by COVID-19, providers in low-income areas, unfunded applicants from round one. Additionally, FCC will award 10 points for disproportionate share hospitals. In contrast to round one, the agency will give round-two applicants the opportunity to supplement their applications with additional information if necessary.
For additional information, please refer to the Universal Service Administrative Company’s (USAC’s) website. If you have specific questions regarding the application process, please reach out to USAC at Round2TelehealthApplicationSupport@usac.org.
Contact Senior Director of Policy Erin O’Malley at eomalley@essentialhospitals.org or 202.585.0127 with questions.
