Stakeholders Eager for Connected Care Pilot; FCC OK Expected

Rural healthcare providers want to begin participating in the FCC Connected Care Program, which is expected to get commissioners' approval on Thursday, agency and industry officials said in interviews last week. The $100 million, three-year pilot will help boost access to healthcare, experts said.

The draft order provides guidance and requirements for program participants (see 2105270085). All FCC members may OK the order, and it hasn't been controversial internally, officials said. There have been no lobbying meetings recently reported in docket 18-213, said to reflect the relatively straightforward nature of this proceeding at this time.

Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel also recently circulated an item that would approve at least 30 additional Connected Care projects (see 2106020073). A spokesperson confirmed Tuesday the additional applicants won't be considered during this week's commissioners' meeting, and selected participants can begin the procurement process after the order is released.

Some want more expansive identification of entities that could apply and of lists of eligible equipment than what's in the draft order. The American Hospital Association said it's pleased the FCC is moving forward with the program but would have preferred for-profit providers to be included. It appreciated the “detailed guidance” and “the emphasis it places on minimizing the possibility of waste, fraud, and abuse,” AHA said in a statement.

Program constraints include restrictions on end-user equipment, said Brian Scarpelli, ACT|The App Association's Connected Health Initiative senior counsel-global policy. That there's any pilot to expand telehealth is “extremely exciting” because the data it produces can potentially help update the Rural Health Care Program or USF broadly, Scarpelli said. There's “a lot of eyeballs on this program,” Scarpelli said, crediting Commissioner Brendan Carr for leading in scaling up the program. Carr's office declined to comment.

Allowing funds to go toward patient and provider broadband is “something that we've kind of been preaching the whole time,” said National Rural Health Association Manager-Government Affairs and Policy Josh Jorgensen. Rural providers are often concerned about broadband access and the pandemic forced an expansion of rural telehealth, he said. “Some patients are more inclined to visit a doctor remotely just because you don’t have to take a day off.”

“Anything where we can deliver healthcare more efficiently is just cheaper,” said Internet Innovation Alliance co-Chairwoman Kim Keenan. Telehealth is “here to stay,” Keenan said: “It’s just going to get bigger, better, [and] faster.”

Pilot projects selected in January will offer mental health services (see 2101150059). NRHA member Summit Pacific Medical Center in Washington state won $169,977 to serve veterans and low-income patients, including with mental health services. CEO Josh Martin didn't comment Friday.