The internet and telecommunications services are essential tools for healthcare providers. Telehealth services, in particular, allow for remote consultations, monitoring, and information exchange. While technological capabilities have transformed healthcare, it has also exposed a disparity in access, with many rural Americans still struggling to connect with healthcare providers due to the lack of broadband internet access.
The Rural Healthcare Connectivity Gap
The digital divide in rural areas is a significant impediment to the delivery of quality healthcare. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FCC), approximately 26 million Americans – mostly in rural communities – lack access to broadband internet. This limitation hinders rural healthcare providers’ efforts to offer telehealth and other technology-powered healthcare services. Moreover, rural healthcare providers often face higher costs for internet and telecommunications services compared to their urban counterparts, compounding the challenge.
USAC: Bridging the Connectivity Gap
Fortunately, the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), a non-profit organization that oversees funding for FCC, offers a lifeline by providing substantial funding to enhance broadband access in rural areas. USAC offers $10 billion in annual funding across four programs, including support for rural healthcare organizations.
Awards help fund the installation and ongoing maintenance of essential internet and telecommunications services and network infrastructure.
Key Considerations for Securing USAC Funding
Securing USAC funding is a complex process that requires careful consideration and expertise. Here are some key considerations when seeking USAC funding:
- Understand Organizational Data Flow: Gain a comprehensive understanding of your organization’s operational and technical structure to ensure all data connections meet USAC’s eligibility requirements and identify any gaps or deficiencies in your communications model.
- Scrutinize Invoices: It’s essential to thoroughly analyze invoices from internet and telecommunication service providers to confirm the accuracy of charges and the usage of telecom and broadband connections.
- Data Retrieval Process: Develop a systematic process to store details of your organization’s broadband services, making it easier to retrieve information for future funding requests, audits, and service analysis.
- Seek Outside Expertise: Applying for USAC funding can be time-consuming and complex. Outsourcing this process to a reputable consultant can help healthcare providers navigate the program’s rules, requirements, and regulations, ensuring compliance and support during audits.
Add USAC to your playbook
USAC offers separate programs for funding Telecommunications (Telecom) and Internet services; each requires a complex six-step process, and an eligible organization can apply for both.
1) The Telecom program provides reduced rates for telecommunications and voice services used for healthcare operations and patient care. Costs for specific services are discounted to cover the difference in expense between urban and rural areas in each state.
2) The Healthcare Connect Fund Program (Broadband) (HCF) program offers a 65% Discount on eligible expenses.
Funding is not a fixed award; rather, the amount is determined by your specific eligible expenses. Having an expert negotiate on your behalf maximizes the funding you receive and the savings you realize. You can apply for the funding without making a single change and simply pay less for what you already have in place, but many hospitals take advantage of this opportunity to secure better pricing and reimbursements for telecommunications upgrades and improvements.
In an era where reliable internet and telecommunications services are vital for delivering high-quality healthcare, funding support can be a lifeline for rural healthcare providers.
The CHC Consulting difference
CHC Consulting has telecom and community hospital experts in-house to help community and rural hospitals curb their telecommunications costs. Our team provides USAC support services to more than 500 healthcare providers.
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