At its January 26 open meeting, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will consider an order and further notice of proposed rulemaking (FNPRM) to amend the rules of the Rural Health Care Program, which includes the...more
The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) has again extended a waiver of its previously issued rules relating to the establishment of urban and rural rates for health care and telecommunication service providers seeking...more
Recent News - General (Including Non-USF Programs) - March 17 marked the deadline to file reply comments in the Report on the Future of the Universal Service Fund proceeding....more
The FCC is requesting public comment on proposed reforms to the Rural Health Care Program to “promote program efficiency and ensure that rural healthcare providers receive appropriate levels of funding.” Initial Comments...more
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues across the United States, states, payers, and providers are looking for ways to expand access to telehealth servic es. Telehealth is an essential tool in ensuring patients are able to access...more
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues across the United States, states, payers, and providers are looking for ways to expand access to telehealth services. Telehealth is an essential tool in ensuring patients are able to access...more
Kelley Drye is proud to present our 12th Annual Update on federal Universal Service Fund (USF) developments. Please join us on March 22, 2021 for Kelley Drye’s annual webinar discussing the state of the federal Universal...more
The FCC’s Connected Care Pilot Program is poised to defray eligible health care providers’ costs of providing certain telehealth services. On September 3, 2020, the FCC issued additional information and guidance for potential...more
On August 3, 2020, President Trump signed an Executive Order that could potentially extend the easing of restrictions on telemedicine that were put in place during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) beyond the...more
The Federal Communications Commission is easing gift rules for participants in the RHC and E-Rate programs so that broadband providers can help support these critical institutions responding to the coronavirus....more
At its August 2019 meeting, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted an order modernizing its Rural Healthcare (RHC) universal service programs—the Telecommunications Program and the Healthcare Connect...more
Coming on the heels of the FCC’s recently proposed $100 million Connected Care Program to fund telehealth-based connections between healthcare providers and patients, and continuing its recognition of the critical role...more
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) took another step closer to establishing a three-year, $100 million Connected Care Pilot program following review of public comments on its prior Notice of Inquiry that previewed...more
On June 25, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) took steps to raise the annual funding cap for the Universal Service Fund’s Rural Health Care (RHC) Program, which provides funds to rural, public and non-profit...more
On December 14, the FCC adopted, with bipartisan support, a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Order (“NPRM”) to provide a measure of financial relief to rural health care providers who will be impacted by the pending...more
At its last open meeting in 2017, the five FCC Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) and Order regarding the Commission’s Rural Health Care (RHC) Program, a 20-year old initiative...more
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is launching a major revision to its Rural Health Care (“RHC”) subsidy programs. These revisions would address two main issues, the level of funding and ways to make the programs...more
In the first action of its kind, on June 7, 2017, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) issued an amendment to a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture and Order (“NAL”), for alleged violations of the rules...more
In the first major FCC enforcement proceeding involving its Rural Health Care Program, the FCC on November 4, 2016 adopted an NAL for nearly $22 Million against telecommunications reseller Network Services Solutions, which...more
On May 10, Senators John Thune (R-S.D.) and Cory Gardner (R-CO) of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation sent a letter to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler and USAC CEO Chris Henderson requesting...more
The Wireline Competition Bureau is seeking comment on a petition filed by the United States Telecom Association (USTelecom) for reconsideration and clarification of the FCC’s recent Rural Health Care Support Mechanism Order....more
Executive Summary: The Federal Communications Commission has released an Order significantly expanding access to $400 million in funds available to health care providers for more accessible and affordable broadband services....more
On Dec. 21, the FCC released its long-awaited Report and Order reforming its funding mechanisms for rural health care by creating a Healthcare Connect Fund (HCF) of $400 million annually....more
In a move he says will improve the quality of health care and cut health system costs, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski announced the Commission will work toward implementing recommendations proposed by the mHealth Task Force,...more