CARES Act

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act allocated $350 billion to help small businesses keep workers employed amid the pandemic and economic downturn.

The Provider Relief Fund supports healthcare providers in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (PPPCHE), the federal government has allocated $178 billion in payments to be distributed through the Provider Relief Fund (PRF).

Qualified providers of health care, services, and support may receive Provider Relief Fund payments for healthcare-related expenses or lost revenue due to COVID-19. Separately, the COVID-19 Uninsured Program reimburses providers for testing and treating uninsured individuals with COVID-19.

These distributions do not need to be repaid to the US government, assuming providers comply with the terms and conditions.

As of 2021, applications are closed and there has been no announcement of further funding.

FCC Telemedicine Funding Programs

New funding in 2021! FCC received additional funding and is offering a second round of funding for this program. The Round 2 Application Filing Window will open at 12:00pm, ET, on Thursday, April 29, 2021 and will close at 12:00pm, ET, on Thursday, May 6, 2021. Round 1 applicants that were not funded will need to submit a new application.   

For additional information on Round 2, please refer to the FCC Telehealth Program page or the Universal Service Administrative Company’s website. 

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As part of the CARES Act, the FCC has created two programs to support telehealth services: The COVID-19 Telehealth Program, and the Connected Care Pilot Program. See this document for full details.

COVID-19 Telehealth Program

This $200 million program supports healthcare workers with the costs of  telecommunications, information services, and connected devices to provide connected care services in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Eligible entities are nonprofit and public eligible health care providers that fall within the categories of health care providers in section 254(h)(7)(B) of the 1996 Act:

1. Post-secondary educational institutions offering health care instruction, teaching hospitals, and medical schools;
2. Community health centers or health centers providing health care to migrants;
3. Local health departments or agencies;
4. Community mental health centers;
5. Not-for-profit hospitals;
6. Rural health clinics;
7. Skilled nursing facilities; or
8. Consortia of health care providers consisting of one or more entities fall into the first seven categories.

Read FMA's press release on this program here.

Determine your eligibility here. (note: eligibility is not limited to only rural service areas).

Submit an application here. In the first text block labeled Proceeding(s) filer will enter 18-213, in reference to the docket number assigned to the order. Also send a copy via email to EmergencyTelehealthSupport@fcc.gov.

Connected Care Pilot Program

This $100 million program will help fund connected care services, particularly for low income Americans and veterans. The description starts in the same document beginning on page 19. The Pilot Program will provide funding for selected pilot projects to cover 85% of the eligible costs of broadband connectivity, network equipment, and information services necessary to provide connected care services to the intended patient population.

Eligibility is the same as for the COVID-19 Telehealth program listed above. Determine your eligibility here. (note: eligibility is not limited to only rural service areas).

Submit an application here. In the first text block labeled Proceeding(s) filer will enter 18-213, in reference to the docket number assigned to the order. Also send a copy via email to ConnCarePltProg@fcc.gov. All filings must be addressed to the Commission’s Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission.