broadband & technology services...broadband & technology services. what is pcc / pspn? pcc...
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BROADBAND & TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
What is PCC / PSPN?
PCC is a 501©(3)non-profit Telehealth Network formed in 2010
u Formed to provide assistance in bringing Telehealth services to rural South Carolina providers in effort to increase access to health care services
u Lack of Broadband proved to be challenging due to the limits in connectivity that is available to the majority of the providers in South Carolina.
u In 2015 Palmetto Care Connections became the Consortium Leader for the Palmetto State Providers Network (PSPN) – the statewide broadband Consortium for SC (MUSC was initial Consortium Leader).
u Since 2015, PCC has doubled the number of circuits in the state that receive subsidy funding through PSPN. With providers in our state experiencing reduced reimbursement rates, it is important to these providers to save money where possible. Broadband and the cost of connecting to Broadband is typically a new expense to them and subsidies through the FCC’s Health Care Connect Fund make it feasible (95 to over 400)
USAC / USFWhat is the Health Care Connect Fund?
u Telecommunications’ companies are required by the Telecommunications Act of 1996 to make annual contributions that make up the universal service fund.
u Universal Services Administration Company (USAC) administers the disbursement of these universal service fund contributions to the four programs established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).u Schools and Libraries, High Cost Program, Lifeline Program, Rural Health Care Program
u The Rural Health Care Program u Provides eligible rural Health Care Providers (HCP) up to a 65-percent flat discount on eligible
expenses related to broadband connectivity.u $580 million a year available to provide reduced rates to eligible health care providers. (Increased
from $400 in 2017)
Goals of the Healthcare Connect Fund
u Increase access to broadband for Eligible Healthcare Providers. Especially those serving in rural areas.
u Foster development and deployment of broadband healthcare networks
u Maximize cost-effectiveness of the FCC’s universal service health care program
Healthcare Benefits for Consumers
u Access by rural HCPs to medical specialists at larger HCPs through telemedicine
u Enhanced exchange of electronic health records and coordination of patient care
u Remote training of medical personnel and ECHO model
u Allows hcp to meet quality indicators
u Improved quality and lower cost of health care
Key features of HCF
u Supports broadband connectivity and broadband networks for HCPs
u Encourages use of consortium to save costs, expand access to health care resources
u Provides 65% discount on broadband services, equipment, connections to research and education networks, infrastructure upgrades (routers, switches) HCP-constructed and owned facilities if shown to be the most cost-effective option
u Requires a 35% HCP contribution
Who is Eligible?
u Rural, not-for-profit or public entities of the following types are eligible:u Post-secondary educational institution offering health
care instruction, such as teaching hospitals or medical schools
u Community health center or health center providing health care to migrants
u Local health department or agencies
u Community mental health centers (alcohol & drug abuse providers)
u Not-for-profit hospitals
u Rural health clinic, including mobile clinics
u Dedicated emergency room of a rural for-profit hospital
u Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) (effective January 1, 2017).
Eligible Products
u Broadband/Internet
u Network Equipment
u Switches
u Routers
u Firewall (on-prem or hosted)
u Maintenance of the above
u Construction costs
Funding
u Since the Inception of Healthcare Connect Fund in 2013, the cap for annual funding given out to eligible HCPs has been $400 million.
u Fund hit the cap for the first time in 2016 due to the high number of funding requestsu Graduated funding of the 65% was received so all applicants could receive some funding
u Hit the cap again in 2017 due to high number of funding requests
u FCC increased cap to $580M in 2018 and incorporated a formula to adjust cap as inflation costs rise
u FCC has requested comments for a $100M Telehealth Pilot Project providing for broadband into residential areas for the purpose of home based telehealth
How Funding Works
u Submission of Letter of Agency (LOA) which gives PCC the authority to submit on behalf of the HCP
u PCC will file for HCP Eligibilityu HCP will receive quotes from vendors on contractu PCC will make a funding request on your behalf (currently one filing window
per year) thru May 31st., 2018 for funding to begin July 1, 2018. Next funding window will probably be February 1, 2019 for funding to begin July 1, 2019. Change to program is that requests can now only be made during designated window
u PCC and HCP receive a USAC funding commitment letter u PCC will invoice USAC on your behalf monthly, once the HCP has met their
35% obligation
Potential Impact for South Carolina
Ø June 30, 2018 – PCC submitted over $22M in Funding Requests to USAC for more than 350 circuits for hospitals, FQHCs and rural health clinics
Ø If funded, Funding Commitment will save health care providers in SC more than $14M in savings
Bringing It All Together
u Connecting Gap between health care providers and their patients
u Elderly obese patient is discharged from hospital with a diabetes related complication. She also has COPD
u Patient is a widow and her children do not live in the area – she lives alone in a rural community and she raises her ten year old granddaughter
u Patient is informed that she is eligible for Remote Patient Monitoring services that will allow her to check her blood sugar, blood pressure and oxygen levels daily and these values will be sent in to a Registered Nurse (RN) who will continuously monitor them and keep physician updated
u Patient is informed that she needs to change her lifestyle and get daily exercise along with a better diet.
Bringing It All Together
u Hospital is offering tele-nutritional counseling and tele-diabetic education counseling although these services are not yet reimbursable. The hospital sees the value in providing services as a means to reduce hospital readmission rates
u Access to these services is not available without adequate internet connectivity in the home
u The granddaughter who rides the bus to and from school cannot complete her homework assignments without internet connectivity
7th Annual Telehealth Summit
