On November 6, 2020, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or “Commission”) began accepting applications for its Connected Care Pilot Program (“Pilot Program”). The filing window will remain open until Monday, December 7, 2020 at 11:59 PM ET. The Pilot Program is a three-year, $100 million program from the Universal Service Fund (“USF”) that will support the provision of connected care telehealth services.
Specifically, the Pilot Program is aimed at increasing telehealth access to low-income and veteran patients in areas where access to healthcare is limited. Specific non-profit and public health care providers are eligible to receive USF funds to help defray the costs of connected care services of up to 85% of the cost of network equipment and eligible services. These costs include: (1) patient broadband Internet access service, (2) health care provider broadband data connections, (3) other connected care information services, and (4) certain network equipment. Broadband connections include: digital subscriber line, cable modem, other copper wireline, optical carrier/fiber to the end- user, terrestrial fixed wireless, mobile wireless (3G, LTE, 4G, 5G), Satellite, and broadband over power line.

A provider must be determined as eligible in order to participate in the Pilot Program. If health care providers were already deemed eligible by the Universal Service Administrative Company (“USAC”) to participate in the FCC’s Rural Health Care Program or COVID-19 Telehealth Program, then those providers will remain eligible for the Pilot Program. Health care providers can submit an application for the Pilot Program through the USAC website. Applicants must have an approved FCC Form 460 to access the application.

If you have any questions or would like assistance with applying for a grant as part of this program, please contact Dee Herman at [email protected], or Hilary Rosenthal
at [email protected].