The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will accept applications for Round 2 of its COVID-19 Telehealth Program between April 29 and May 6, 2021. In Round 1, the FCC awarded $200 million across 539 healthcare providers between April and July 2020. In Round 2, the agency will distribute $250 million to not-for-profit and public healthcare providers for costs associated with their telehealth programs.
In authorizing the Round 2 funding in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, Congress directed the FCC to make several changes to the COVID-19 Telehealth Program, including streamlining the application process and ensuring greater equity in the distribution of funds. In response, the FCC issued a March 30 order detailing the application process and criteria for funding decisions.
To apply, an organization must have (1) an FCC Registration Number, (2) a healthcare provider number (eligibility determination) from the Universal Service Administrative Company, and (3) completed registration with the federal System for Award Management.
Eligible providers may request up to $1 million in reimbursement for telecommunications services, information services, and connected devices necessary to provide telehealth and connected care in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds may be used to support up to 12 months of eligible recurring services as well as eligible annual license agreements. Personnel costs, marketing costs, administrative expenses, and training costs are not eligible for reimbursement.
According to the March 30 order, applications received by the May 6 deadline will be scored based on the following metrics:
Factor |
Information Required |
Points |
Hardest Hit Area |
Applicant must provide healthcare provider county |
Up to 15 |
Low-Income Area |
Applicant must provide healthcare provider physical address and county |
Up to 15 |
Round 1 Unfunded Applicant |
Applicant must provide unique application number from Round 1 |
15 |
Tribal Community |
Applicant must provide physical address and/or provide supporting documentation to verify Indian Health Service or Tribal affiliation |
15 |
Critical Access Hospital |
Applicant must provide proof of CAH certification |
10 |
Federally Qualified Health Center / Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike / Disproportionate Share Hospital |
Applicants must (1) provide proof of FQHC certification, or (2) demonstrate qualification as FQHC Look-Alike, or (3) demonstrate qualification as a Disproportionate Share Hospital |
10 |
Healthcare Provider Shortage Area |
Applicants must provide Healthcare Provider Shortage Area ID number or healthcare provider county |
Up to 10 |
Round 2 New Applicant |
Applicant must certify it has not previously applied for Program funding |
5 |
Rural County |
Applicants must provide healthcare provider county |
5 |
Funding will be committed to the highest-scoring application from Hawaii, Alaska, and Montana–the three states that did not receive Round 1 funding. Next, the highest-scoring application from each of the other states, territories, and the District of Columbia will be funded. Thereafter, the highest-scoring applications–without regard to location–will be funded in descending order.
PYA can assist your organization in evaluating the FCC’s COVID-19 Telehealth Program, and in preparing and submitting an application in a timely manner. Please contact one of our PYA executives below at (800) 270-9629. For additional COVID-19 guidance, visit PYA’s COVID-19 hub.