The Federal Communications Commission released a public notice announcing the application window for its Connected Care Pilot Program is now open and will close December 7. As we previously wrote, the $100 million, three-year Connected Care Pilot Program is designed to offset eligible healthcare providers' costs for providing certain connected care services, particularly to treat low-income Americans and veterans. The FCC's public notice offers more detail about the Connected Care Pilot Program application process and the types of services and equipment that are eligible for support under the program.
Application process
Before applying, eligible healthcare providers must first have an approved FCC Form 460, which is an eligibility determination from the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). In addition, each healthcare provider site included in a Connected Care Pilot Program application must have an eligibility determination.
Applications for the Connected Care Pilot Program will be accepted by the FCC through an online application system on USAC's website. Eligible healthcare providers must submit an application that adheres to the application procedures and Connected Care Pilot Program rules and requirements. Applicants should submit applications as soon as possible to make sure their applications are complete before the filing window closes. Applicants have a continuing obligation to ensure their application materials remain accurate, even after submission.
Eligible services
The Connected Care Pilot Program provides support for 85% of the cost of certain eligible services and network equipment in the following categories: (1) patient broadband Internet access services; (2) healthcare provider broadband data connections; (3) connected care information services; and (4) certain network equipment needed to make a supported broadband service functional.
The Connected Care Pilot Program will not fund end-user devices (including tablets, smart phones or remote patient monitoring equipment), medical equipment, healthcare provider administrative costs, personnel costs, network deployment, network construction between healthcare providers or connectivity services between healthcare provider sites.
For more information, review the FCC's public notice and the "illustrative examples of the types of items that are eligible for support through the Pilot Program."
Cooley's communications practice can answer questions about the application process and assist with the preparation of materials.
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