# FCC Connected Health Devices and Services Criteria: Eligibility, Cost Effectiveness, and Impact # Eligible Devices and Services Supporting materials to prove eligibility must be submitted. Examples can be found: [**www.stel.life/order**](/content/order/index.html) **“Eligible health care providers should not include the cost of ineligible items in their funding application.”** [**#27 on FCC FAQ**](https://www.fcc.gov/covid-19-telehealth-program-frequently-asked-questions-faqs) (Below: [list of Eligible and Ineligible items from the FCC FAQS](https://www.fcc.gov/covid-19-telehealth-program-frequently-asked-questions-faqs)) ### **Eligible Services And Devices** - Connected Vitals Devices (Bluetooth / Wifi Blood Pressure Monitors, Scales, etc…) - Connected Equipment (Tablets, smart phones, connected vitals devices) to receive connected care services at home - Telemedicine Kiosks / carts - Telecommunications and Internet Connectivity - Information Services (remote patient monitoring, store and forward, async patient data, synchronous video) - Recurring Fees (12 months for eligible services) ### **Ineligible** - Personnel and Administrative Expenses - e.g., IT staff, project managers, medical professionals, consultant fees, training, customer service, marketing, etc. - Technical support, maintenance, warranties, and protection plans, development / implementation of platforms, websites, or systems. - Unconnected devices and supplies - Devices patients use and manually enter / report results to professionals, testing strips, lancets, disposable covers, and personal protective equipment, etc. - Unconnected accessories - e.g., cases, mouse pads, cable clips, laptop bags, tablet stands, charging stations, back-up batteries, power cords, surge protectors, etc. - Consumer Devices and Non-Telehealth Items - e.g., Smartwatches and fitness trackers, office furniture and supplies, security systems, and incidental expenses, etc. - Construction: e.g., fiber/ethernet/cable network constructions, facility alterations, and temporary site location structures, etc. # Cost Effectiveness “we are committed to ensuring the integrity and fiscal responsibility of the COVID-19 Telehealth Program funds and will guard against waste, fraud, and abuse. We thus strongly encourage applicants to purchase **cost-effective eligible services and devices**” [FCC Report & Order pg.18](https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-20-44A1.pdf) View fullsize # Impact (Post Program Report) Example from Round 1 - [300k vitals transmitted into EHR from population without smartphones, wifi, broadband, or tech-literacy](/content/blog/300kvitals/index.html) **Patient Access + Digital Divide Accessibility** Does the solution promote adoption from vulnerable patient populations? Or does it only benefit patients with existing infrastructure, access to the latest smartphones/tablets, and knowledge with technology? - **Best: Digital Divide Accessible - provides patients with devices, services. (Preferred: addresses language and tech barriers)** - Only for patients with wifi and the latest smartphones - provides patients with devices or services for their existing device. - Not ideal: Does not provide patients access to devices or services for monitoring at home. **Provider + Program Scalability** Does the solution exhibit scalable adoption and promote other federal priorities? - **Ideal: Promotes ONC Interoperability Requirements (Patient Generated Health Data in EHR)** - **Ideal: Provides infrastructure for better future care despite lack of reimbursements** **(ex. FQHC’s are not eligible for RPM CPT codes, but could offer RPM services because of program)** - Not ideal: Does not support other federal priorities and will not be continued post-pandemic - Bad: Risks patient PHI and data security or promotes fraud/waste/abuse # Popular Solutions from Round 1 (alphabetical order) **NON-TABLET AND CELLULAR (NON-BROADBAND DEPENDENT) SOLUTIONS:** - [Ideal Life: **$260/hub +$300/mo**](https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/10619142320760/ACS%20-%20Ideal%20LIFE%20Telehealth%20Quote.pdf) [** + $1250 Integration**](https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/10619142320760/FCC%20Telehealth%20Budget.pdf) **and** [**$5,865 Setup**](https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/10619142320760/ACS%20-%20Ideal%20LIFE%20Telehealth%20Quote.pdf) - [Stel Cellular & Bluetooth Vitals Hubs: **$130/hub + $10/month + $0 Integration**](https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/10619106696582/GRA0004617.pdf) ### **TABLET AND BROADBAND DEPENDENT SOLUTIONS:** - [CareInnovations: **$180/kit + $80/month + $4500 training**](https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/106192196618617/Care%20Innovations%20Quote.pdf) - [“COVID-19 Response Kit”: **$1,715/kit**](https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/106192133317819/GRA0006983.pdf) - [ForwardAdvantage: **$401,000 platform + $500 hub**](https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filing/10619091844570) - [HRS: **$400/Tablet + $71/mo services + $10,000 Implementation**](https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/10619075197678/HRS%20Telehealth%20Invoice.pdf) or [HRS: **$875-$900/kit + $61/month for services (for 36 months) + $8,000 Implementation**](https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/10619863803818/Heartland%20Regional%20Medical%20Center%20(Mosaic)%20Supporting%20Documentation.pdf) - [Locus Health: **$1,260/kit**](https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/106192133317819/GRA0006983.pdf) - [MedPod: **$625/Kit + $19.75/mo**](https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/10619266030360/Medpod%20RPM%20Kits%20Customer%20Price%20List%20Nov2019%20(1).pdf) - [RPM kit (mentioned in the original FCC R&O): **$1,600/kit**](https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-20-44A1.pdf) - [Vivify Kit: **$900/kit + $69/mo/services (36 month commitment) + $41/mo logistics**](https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/1062060444509/Vivify%20Invoice%20for%20100%20patients.pdf) ### **VITALS DEVICE ONLY (FOR PATIENTS WITH COMPATIBLE SMARTPHONES + TECH LITERACY):** - [Masimo: **$449.93/PulseOx**](https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/106192828723371/OCHIN%20Statement%20of%20Work%20Quote%20-%20patient%20connected%20devices.pdf) - [Tyto: **$300/kit + $50/service**](https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/106202698516164/GRA0009600.pdf), or [TytoClinic: **$64,800**](https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/10619174573545/COVID%20Grant%20costs_final.xlsx), or [Tyto kit: **$2,160**](https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/10619174573545/GRA0001643.pdf), or [TytoCare Pro: **$999/patient**](https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/106192133317819/GRA0006983.pdf) * * *