[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 6 (Monday, January 11, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1969-1970]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-00315]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[WC Docket No. 20-89; DA No. 20-1504; FRS 17363]


Wireline Competition Bureau and Office of The Managing Director 
Set July 31, 2021 Invoicing Deadline for Covid-19 Telehealth Program 
and Provide Post-Program Guidance

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In this document, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) 
establishes an invoicing deadline for the COVID-19 Telehealth Program 
and provide COVID-19 Telehealth Program funding Awardees with 
additional information on the post-program report.

DATES: July 31, 2021.

ADDRESSES: You may submit the post-program report template, identified 
by WC Docket No. 20-89, by the following method:
     Comments must be filed electronically using the Federal

[[Page 1970]]

Communications Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System at: http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs2/.
     Effective March 19, 2020, and until further notice, the 
Commission no longer accepts any hand or messenger delivered filings. 
This is a temporary measure taken to help protect the health and safety 
of individuals, and to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19. See FCC 
Announces Closure of FCC Headquarters Open Window and Change in Hand-
Delivery Policy, Public Notice, DA 20-304 (March 19, 2020), https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-closes-headquarters-open-window-and-changes-hand-delivery-policy.
     People with Disabilities. To request materials in 
accessible formats for people with disabilities (braille, large print, 
electronic files, audio format), send an email to [email protected] or 
call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 
(voice), 202-418-0432 (try).
    For detailed instructions for submitting the template and 
additional information on the rulemaking process, see the SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION section of this document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephanie Minnock, Assistant Division 
Chief, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, Wireline Competition 
Bureau, [email protected] or 202-418-7400 or TTY: 202-418-0484.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a synopsis of the Commission's 
Public Notice in WC Docket No. 20-89; DA 20-1504 released December 18, 
2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commission's headquarters will 
be closed to the general public until further notice. The full text of 
this document is available at the following internet address: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-20-1504A1.pdf. For more information 
about the COVID-19 Telehealth Program, please refer to the Commission's 
website at www.fcc.gov/covid19telehealth.

I. Introduction

    The Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB) and the Office of the 
Managing Director (OMD) establishes a July 31, 2021, invoicing deadline 
for the COVID-19 Telehealth Program. Also, COVID-19 Telehealth Program 
funding awardees (Awardees) are provided with additional information on 
the post-program report, which must be filed with the Commission no 
later than January 31, 2022. Additionally, Awardees are reminded of the 
program's recordkeeping and auditing requirements.
    As part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, 
Congress appropriated $200 million to the Federal Communications 
Commission (Commission) ``to support efforts of health care providers 
to address coronavirus by providing telecommunications services, 
information services, and devices necessary to enable the provision of 
telehealth services.'' On April 2, 2020, the Commission established the 
COVID-19 Telehealth Program to administer the $200 million in 
congressionally appropriated funding. The Commission issued funding 
awards for 539 applications from April 16, 2020 through July 8, 2020, 
when the appropriated $200 million budget was exhausted. WCB set an 
initial deadline of September 30, 2020 for Awardees to purchase 
eligible connected devices and implement eligible services, but 
extended that deadline to December 31, 2020, after receiving multiple 
requests from Awardees that needed more time to purchase connected 
devices and/or implement services or that were experiencing delays.

II. Discussion

    A. Invoicing Deadline. WCB and OMD developed a process for 
reviewing Awardees' monthly invoicing forms and supporting 
documentation. To further facilitate the administration of the COVID-19 
Telehealth Program, the invoicing filing deadline is set for July 31, 
2021. Awardees have until December 31, 2020 to purchase eligible 
connected devices and implement eligible services, and can receive up 
to six months of support for eligible services with monthly recurring 
charges. An invoicing deadline is necessary for efficient 
administration of the COVID-19 Telehealth Program and provides 
certainty to Awardees. Thus, the deadline of seven months after the 
purchase/implementation deadline of December 31, 2020 provides a 
reasonable timeframe for Awardees to receive their eligible services 
and connected devices and timely file their requests for reimbursement 
along with supporting documentation to the Commission. Accordingly, 
Awardees must file their requests for reimbursement for the cost of 
eligible connected devices and/or telecommunications or information 
services on or before July 31, 2021, in order to receive reimbursement 
for eligible expenses under the COVID-19 Telehealth Program.
    B. Post-Program Report. As part of the Report and Order, FCC 20-44, 
the Commission stated that Awardees should provide a report to the 
Commission on the effectiveness of the COVID-19 Telehealth Program 
funding no later than six months after the conclusion of the COVID-19 
Telehealth Program. Awardees, therefore, should submit their post-
program reports by January 31, 2022--six months after the invoicing 
deadline. These reports will provide the Commission with important 
feedback on whether and how the COVID-19 Telehealth Program funding 
impacted health outcomes, patient treatment, health care facility 
administration, and any other relevant aspects of Awardees' response to 
COVID-19. Appended in the Public Notice is a post-program report 
template, which contains a list of questions that Awardees should 
respond to when developing their post-program report. Awardees are 
encouraged to provide any additional feedback as part of the post-
program report. Once completed, Awardees should file their completed 
report(s) in WC Docket No. 20-89 in the Commission's electronic comment 
filing system, available at https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/.
    C. Program Rules and Reminders. As a reminder, Awardees must 
maintain records related to their participation in the COVID-19 
Telehealth Program for at least three years from the last date of 
service under this program to demonstrate their compliance with program 
requirements. Awardees must present any records related to their 
participation in the COVID-19 Telehealth Program to the Commission or 
its delegates upon request. Awardees may also be subject to compliance 
audits to ensure compliance with rules and requirements for the COVID-
19 Telehealth Program. If audited, Awardees must provide documentation 
related to their participation in the COVID-19 Telehealth Program.
Federal Communications Commission.

Cheryl L. Callahan, Assistant Chief,
Telecommunications Access Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau.
[FR Doc. 2021-00315 Filed 1-8-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P