$200 million is available now to help healthcare providers launch or expand telehealth programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. While $100 million is put aside to expand connected health programs to rural areas over the period of next three years.
This is possible because the Federal Communications Commission has the goal to improve the lines of communication upon which these platforms operate.
Brendan Carr one of FCC’s five commissioners said that they have been active in supporting internet connectivity in telehealth for over a decade. What they’ve primarily done is support through funding high-speed connections to brick-and-mortar healthcare facilities, and this type of work has given some amazing results.
Carr has explained how telehealth programs across the country are moving towards “connected care,” which changes the scenario from patients seeking care at a hospital to patients accessing care at their convenience.
He said that right now one doesn’t have to go to a brick-and-mortar facility every time to receive high quality care. With smartphone and internet connectivity on the tablet people can do video visits with doctors, dermatologists can use the camera on the phone to look at skin issues. Everything from diabetes to fetal monitoring for high-risk pregnancies can be done.
They have been funding connections to hospitals and that will continue. But, CARES Act has given them the funding to stand up a new connected care proceeding, and that is about giving connections to people at their homes. At present this is crucial- with COVID-19 no one wants people going to a facility unless they need that type of care.
Carr said that just a few weeks ago the COVID-19 Telehealth Program was included in the CARES Act that aims to help providers to isolate and treat patients infected by the virus, also separate and maintain care for high-risk populations and others who weren’t infected.
Six hospitals have been picked to receive funding from the new program and another five were selected later. More are expected to be announced soon.