{"id":32552,"date":"2021-07-23T18:15:45","date_gmt":"2021-07-23T18:15:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.mtelehealth.com\/?p=32552"},"modified":"2021-07-23T18:15:45","modified_gmt":"2021-07-23T18:15:45","slug":"fcc-launches-connected-care-pilot-program-announces-36-award-recipients","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/drmiltie.com\/at-home-testing\/fcc-launches-connected-care-pilot-program-announces-36-award-recipients\/","title":{"rendered":"FCC Launches Connected Care Pilot Program, Announces 36 Award Recipients"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n

The Federal Communications Commission has posted new guidelines for its Connected Care Pilot Program and announced 36 telehealth projects that have qualified for funding.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By\u00a0Eric Wicklund<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

June 18, 2021 – Some 36 telehealth programs across the country will get federal funding through the Federal Communications Commission\u2019s Connected Care Pilot Program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The FCC approved new guidelines for the $100 million program<\/a> during its Thursday meeting, then announced the second road of approved applications. The 36 new projects will account for $31 million in funding, and join 23 projects and $26 million approved in January<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new guidelines follow criticism that the FCC hasn\u2019t been transparent with either this program or the COVID-19 Telehealth Program, which is due to begin its second round soon<\/a>. Critics had said the agency wasn\u2019t explaining in detail how applications were approved, why some applications were turned down or how the funding should be used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cToday, we provide the guidance that participants in this program need to begin their projects,\u201d Acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said in a press release accompanying the announcement<\/a>. \u201cThis includes clarifying what equipment and services are eligible, providing details regarding the competitive bidding process, and explaining just how reimbursement will work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m particularly heartened that many of these projects will focus on treating high-risk pregnancy and maternal health, an area that needs improvement and I am hopeful that connected care can help,\u201d she added.  \u201cIn addition, other projects are designed to provide care for opioid dependency, mental health, and chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease. I\u2019m looking forward to the good these projects can do and just as importantly what we can learn from this effort.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr, who has championed the program since its inception in 2018, praised the new guidelines, which were required before the first batch of award nominees could begin their projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWith advances in smartphones, tablets, and other connected devices, patients no longer need to visit brick-and-mortar facilities to receive high-quality care. Connected care is facilitating the delivery of patient-centered health care from the comfort of a patient\u2019s home,\u201d he said in a separate release<\/a>. \u201cToday\u2019s action brings us one step closer to getting funding into the hands of the first batch of awardees. These dollars will go toward supporting the networks and equipment that facilitate connected care services that are crucial to patients \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the programs chosen in the second round<\/a> are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n