The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau will begin accepting applications for Round 2 of the COVID-19 Telehealth Program on Thursday, April 29 at 12 p.m. ET.
The filing window will last seven days and close on Thursday, May 6 at 12 p.m. Round 2 of the program is a $249.95 million federal initiative that builds on the $200 million program established as part of the CARES Act.
Applicants may receive program funding to support up to 12 months of eligible recurring services, purchase of necessary devices and the cost of up to one year of related licensing agreements, including retroactive funding for services and devices purchased on or after March 13, 2020 (as long as such services or devices were not funded through a Round 1 grant). The maximum grant for any single provider will be $1 million.
The COVID-19 Telehealth Program limits participation to nonprofit and public eligible health care providers that fall within the following categories:
post-secondary educational institutions offering health care instruction, teaching hospitals, and medical schools;
community health centers or health centers providing health care to migrants
local health departments or agencies
community mental health centers
not-for-profit hospitals
rural health clinics
skilled nursing facilities
consortia of health care providers consisting of one or more entities falling into the first seven categories.
Round 2 contains a number of tweaks, including a system for rating applicants that prioritizes hard-hit and low-income areas, tribal communities and those in provider shortage areas, as well as projects that were not approved during Round 1.
The revised application and award process will establish a rating system for applicants, with more focus on the hardest-hit and most economically disadvantaged areas, and will seek to distribute funds more equitably.