FCC Will Accept COVID-19 Telehealth Program Applications on Monday, April 13, 2020
The Wireline Competition Bureau announced that it will begin accepting applications for the $200 million COVID-19 Telehealth Program on Monday, April 13, 2020 at 12:00 PM ET through a dedicated application portal available at www.fcc.gov/covid19telehealth. To assist applicants with the application process, the Bureau plans to post an explainer video on the same website at 11:00 AM ET, an hour before the application portal opens. Applications for the program will be accepted on a rolling basis.
Previously, the Bureau released a Public Notice detailing actions that interested health care providers (HCPs) can take now in preparation for filing an application for COVID-19 Telehealth Program funding. These steps include:
The FCC’s Report and Order adopting the $200 million COVID-19 Telehealth Program and the $100 million Connected Care Pilot Program was published in the Federal Register on April 9, 2020, and will become effective on May 11, 2020. Although the COVID-19 Telehealth Program information collection requirements became effective on the date of publication in the Federal Register, the Connected Care Pilot Program requirements will not become effective until approved by OMB.
Previously, the Bureau released a Public Notice detailing actions that interested health care providers (HCPs) can take now in preparation for filing an application for COVID-19 Telehealth Program funding. These steps include:
- Obtain an eligibility determination from USAC: HCPs must obtain an eligibility determination from USAC for each health care provider site included in their applications. To do so, HCPs must file an FCC Form 460, Eligibility and Registration Form. HCPs already deemed eligible to participate in the Rural Health Care (RHC) Programs may rely on that eligibility determination for the COVID-19 Telehealth Program. HCPs may file a COVID-19 Telehealth Program application while their eligibility determination is pending.
- Obtain an FCC Registration Number (FRN): All entities doing business with the FCC must register for an FRN in the Commission Registration System (CORES). An FRN is a unique, 10-digit number used to identify an entity’s business dealings with the FCC. HCPs may register for an FRN on the FCC’s website: https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin.do.
- Register with System for Award Management: To receive payments through the COVID-19 Telehealth Program, HCPs must register with the federal System for Award Management. HCPs may register using this link: https://www.sam.gov/SAM/. Although HCPs do not need to be registered before applying, the Bureau encourages applicants to start the registration process early.
- Gather Required Information for Application: Although the Bureau has yet to release the COVID-19 Telehealth Program application form, the Public Notice includes a detailed list of the information applicants will be required to provide with their application (e.g., medical services to be provided and conditions to be treated with program funding). To view the list in detail, see pages 4-6 of the Public Notice.
The FCC’s Report and Order adopting the $200 million COVID-19 Telehealth Program and the $100 million Connected Care Pilot Program was published in the Federal Register on April 9, 2020, and will become effective on May 11, 2020. Although the COVID-19 Telehealth Program information collection requirements became effective on the date of publication in the Federal Register, the Connected Care Pilot Program requirements will not become effective until approved by OMB.
