FCC Preparing to Announce Next Batch of Connected Care Pilot Program Awards

The Federal Communications Commission is getting ready to unveil the next round of healthcare organizations that will receive funding through the Connected Care Pilot Program for telehealth projects.

The FCC is scheduled to consider at its October 26 open meeting a Public Notice announcing the third round of selections for the $100 million program, which is designed to help projects “defray the costs of providing certain telehealth services for eligible health care providers, with a particular emphasis on providing connected care services to low-income and veteran patients.”

In particular, the agency says these projects “will address treatments for maternal health/high-risk pregnancy, COVID19, other infectious diseases, opioid dependency, mental health conditions, and chronic or recurring conditions.”

The long-planned program was unveiled this past January, at which time $26.5 million was set aside for 14 projects. Those awards were put on hold while the FCC revised its guidelines following criticism over both that program and the COVID-19 Telehealth Program.

In June, the FCC approved the revised guidelines for the Connected Care Pilot Program and unveiled an additional $31 million in funding for 36 projects. That leaves roughly $42.5 million in the fund.

Just last week, the FCC unveiled the second batch of award recipients for the COVID-19 Telehealth Program, not in its second iteration. Some 72 programs were identified, accounting for more than $41 million and joining the 62 organizations and $42 million in awards announced in August.

The two programs aim to help healthcare organizations expand telehealth and mHealth programs to underserved populations and parts of the country by helping them purchase technology and expand broadband connectivity to support those programs. Broadband access and lack of technology are often cited as barriers to accessing care.