FCC approves three-year, $100 million rural telehealth pilot - Entrepreneur Generations

Last week the Federal Communications Commission approved a three-year pilot program aimed at increasing access to telehealth services for rural residents and low-income people. Commissioners are seeking public comment for the proposed $100 million Connected Care Pilot, which would "give an 85 percent discount on connectivity for broadband-enabled telehealth services that directly connect doctors and patients," Shannon Muchmore reports for Healthcare Dive.

Telehealth could be a big help to many in rural areas who don't live close to health care providers, but the lack of broadband internet limits its implementation: about one in five rural adults say they lack high-speed internet, according to a recent poll, Muchmore reports. It's a generally popular service: about one in four of the respondents to that poll said they had used telehealth in recent years and most said they were satisfied with their most recent experience.

"The American Hospital Association lists better access to telehealth as a key component of propping up rural providers, along with reducing overhead IT costs and compliance requirements. Poor access to broadband has been a key barrier for rural providers, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Muchmore reports. "And lack of infrastructure was cited in a recent RAND Corporation analysis that found federally qualified health centers underuse the technology."

from The Rural Blog https://ift.tt/2jVTiPM FCC approves three-year, $100 million rural telehealth pilot - Entrepreneur Generations

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