FCC Announces Availability of Health Care Connect Fund

Initiative Will Create and Expand Telemedicine Networks,Increase Access to Medical Specialists

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FCC Announces Availability of Health Care Connect Fund

FCC Announces Availability of Health Care Connect Fund

Initiative Will Create and Expand Telemedicine Networks,Increase Access to Medical Specialists

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January 9, 2013

On January 7, 2013, the US Federal Communications Commission (the "FCC") launched a new Health Care Connect Fund (the "Fund") to promote Health Care Provider Networks and increase access to specialists in rural areas. The Fund, a part of the FCC's Universal Service Fund, is a permanent program that builds on the FCC's 2006 Rural Healthcare pilot program. Applications for support from the Fund will be accepted in late Summer 2013.

The FCC also intends to launch a new three-year Skilled Nursing Facilities Pilot Program in 2014.

What Are the Goals of the Fund?

The Fund has three primary goals:

To increase access to broadband for health care providers ("HCPs"), particularly in rural areas;
To foster development and deployment of interconnected broadband health care networks; and
To maximize the impact of the FCC's universal service health care funding dollars.

Who Is Eligible to Receive Funding?

HCPs that directly serve rural patients ("Rural HCPs") are eligible to receive funding. Specifically, the following types of entities may be eligible as HCPs to receive support from the Fund:

Public or not-for-profit hospitals;
Rural health clinics;
Community health centers;
Health centers serving migrants;
Community mental health centers;
Local health departments or agencies;
Post-secondary educational institutions/teaching hospitals/medical schools; or
Consortia of the entities listed above.

Non-Rural HCPs may obtain support from the Fund by participating in interconnected consortia with Rural HCPs so long as one or more Rural HCPs retain majority control of the consortium.

How Can Funding Be Used?

HCPs can use support from the Fund to provide rural patients with access to specialists at major, sometimes remote, health centers through telemedicine, and to support the exchange of electronic health records ("EHRs"). Specifically, the Fund will provide support in the amount of 65% of the cost of eligible broadband services, equipment, connections to research and education networks, and HCP-constructed and owned facilities.