The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced it will begin accepting applications for Round 2 of the COVID-19 Telehealth Program on April 29. The application portal will be open for seven calendar days, closing on May 6.
The program provides reimbursement to nonprofit and public health care providers for telecommunications services, information services, and connected devices necessary to enable telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Round 2 of the program is a nearly $250 million federal initiative funded by the Consolidated Appropriations Act that builds on the $200 million included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.
Funding per applicant is capped at $1 million. The FCC’s grant review process will attempt to ensure that at least two applications with a lead health care provider from each state or territory receive funding. Round 1 applicants that did not receive funding will be required to apply to receive funding in Round 2. However, they will receive an increase in points that are not available to new applicants. Additionally, Round 1 applicants that received less than $1 million may submit an application during the second round and receive funds up to the cap.
Round 2 application evaluation metrics will prioritize funding to:
- Eligible health care providers that will benefit most from telehealth funding
- As many eligible health care providers as possible
- Tribal, rural, and low-income communities
- Areas most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic