Feds to prioritize telemedicine funding based on ‘rurality’

The Federal Communications Commission is moving forward with plans to reform how funding is distributed for the agency's rural telemedicine program (Source: “FCC to prioritize telemedicine funding by 'rurality',” Modern Healthcare, Aug. 1, 2019).

The FCC on Thursday voted to adopt a report and order for its Rural Health Care Program, which helps fund broadband and telecommunications services for some healthcare providers in rural areas. A major part of the program involves subsidizing the difference between urban and rural rates for telecommunications services.

To address increasing demand for the program, last summer the FCC increased funding for the Rural Health Care Program to $571 million per year, up from its initial funding cap of $400 million.

With the new report and order, the FCC said it will reform the way it distributes Rural Health Care Program funding and take steps to guard against possible waste and inefficiencies in program costs.

In the event program demand outpaces available funding, the FCC now plans to prioritize support based on "rurality tiers," as well as whether the Health Resources and Services Administration designates a provider's area as part of a medically underserved population.