The FCC has issued additional guidance following its release of the Telehealth Order on April 2, 2020. The portal for accepting applications will open on Monday, April 13 at noon Eastern (per guidance issued April 10).
As explained in our previous advisory, the COVID-19 Telehealth Program will provide $200 million in grants to help health care providers (HCPs) provide connected care services to patients at their homes or mobile locations in response to COVID-19. Grants will be issued on a rolling basis until the fund is exhausted.
The FCC also issued a Public Notice providing the following additional guidance on how the COVID-19 Telehealth Program will work:
Retroactive Availability and End Date for Some Types of Funding
- Services and devices purchased after March 13, 2020 are eligible for support (i.e., funding is available retroactively).
- Services that require monthly recurring charges are eligible for support only through September 30, 2020.
Additional Guidance Regarding Pre-Application Process
In addition to having (or obtaining) an FCC Registration Number (FRN) and an Eligibility Determination from the Universal Service Administrative Company, applicants must also register with the federal System for Award Management. This is a web-based, government-wide registration system for federal government contractors.
Additional Detail on Required Information
Finally, the Public Notice contains a detailed list of information that must be included as part of the application. FCC staff will present a webinar on Monday, April 13, 2020 at 11:00 am Eastern to assist interested parties in preparing their applications. That webinar will be available at www.fcc.gov/covid19telehealth.
The facts, laws, and regulations regarding COVID-19 are developing rapidly. Since the date of publication, there may be new or additional information not referenced in this advisory. Please consult with your legal counsel for guidance.
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