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, 1969-1970 [2021-00315]

Download as PDF jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 6 / Monday, January 11, 2021 / Notices information collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Pursuant to the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, Public Law 107–198, see 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(4), the FCC seeks specific comment on how it might ‘‘further reduce the information collection burden for small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees.’’ OMB Control Number: 3060–0761. Title: Section 79.1, Closed Captioning of Video Programming, CG Docket No. 05–231. Form No.: N/A. Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection. Respondents: Business or other forprofit entities; Individuals or households; and Not-for-profit entities. Number of Respondents and Responses: 64,218 respondents; 521,074 responses. Estimated Time per Response: 0.5 (30 minutes) to 30 hours. Frequency of Response: Annual reporting requirement; Third party disclosure requirement; Recordkeeping requirement. Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. The statutory authority for this obligation is found at section 713 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 613, and implemented at 47 CFR 79.1. Total Annual Burden: 727,143 hours. Annual Cost Burden: $34,350,444. Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: Confidentiality is an issue to the extent that individuals and households provide personally identifiable information, which is covered under the FCC’s system of records notice (SORN), FCC/CGB–1, ‘‘Informal Complaints, Inquiries, and Requests for Dispute Assistance.’’ As required by the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. 552a, the Commission also published a SORN, FCC/CGB–1 ‘‘Informal Complaints, Inquiries, and Requests for Dispute Assistance’’ in the Federal Register on August 15, 2014, published at 79 FR 48152, which became effective on September 24, 2014. Privacy Act Impact Assessment: Yes. Needs and Uses: The Commission seeks to extend existing information collection requirements in its closed captioning rules (47 CFR 79.1), which require that, with some exceptions, all new video programming, and 75 percent of ‘‘pre-rule’’ programming, be closed captioned. The existing collections include petitions by video programming providers, producers, and owners for exemptions from the closed captioning rules, responses by commenters, and VerDate Sep<11>2014 22:36 Jan 08, 2021 Jkt 253001 replies; complaints by viewers alleging violations of the closed captioning rules, responses by video programming distributors (VPDs) and video programmers, recordkeeping in support of complaint responses, and compliance ladder obligations in the event of a pattern or trend of violations; recordkeeping of monitoring and maintenance activities; caption quality best practices procedures; making video programming distributor contact information available to viewers in phone directories, on the Commission’s website and the websites of video programming distributors (if they have them), and in billing statements (to the extent video programming distributors issue them); and video programmers filing of contact information and compliance certifications with the Commission. On February 19, 2016, the Commission adopted the Closed Captioning Quality Second Report and Order, published at 81 FR 57473, August 23, 2016, amending its rules to allocate the responsibilities of VPDs and video programmers with respect to the provision and quality of closed captioning. The Commission took the following actions, among others: (a) Required video programmers to file certifications with the Commission that (1) the video programmer (i) is in compliance with the rules requiring the inclusion of closed captions, and (ii) either is in compliance with the captioning quality standards or has adopted and is following related Best Practices; or (2) is exempt from the captioning obligation and specifies the exemption claimed. (b) Revised the procedures for receiving, serving, and addressing television closed captioning complaints in accordance with a burden-shifting compliance model. (c) Established a compliance ladder for the Commission’s television closed captioning quality requirements. (d) Required VPDs to use the Commission’s web form when providing contact information to the VPD registry. (e) Required video programmers to register their contact information with the Commission for the receipt and handling of written closed captioning complaints. OMB Control Number: 3060–1171. Title: Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (‘‘CALM’’) Act; 73.682(e) and 76.607(a). Form Number: Not applicable. Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection. Respondents: Business or other forprofit entities. PO 00000 Frm 00053 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 1969 Number of Respondents and Responses: 2,937 respondents and 4,868 responses. Frequency of Response: Recordkeeping requirement; Third party disclosure requirement; On occasion reporting requirement. Estimated Time per Response: 0.25– 80 hours. Total Annual Burden: 6,036 hours. Total Annual Cost: No cost. Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. The statutory authority for this collection of information is contained in 47 U.S.C. 151, 152, 154(i) and (j), 303(r) and 621. Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: There is no assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents with this collection of information. Privacy Impact Assessment: No impact(s). Needs and Uses: The Commission will use this information to determine compliance with the CALM Act. The CALM Act mandates that the Commission make the Advanced Television Systems Committee (‘‘ATSC’’) A/85 Recommended Practice mandatory for all commercial TV stations and cable/multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs). Federal Communications Commission. Marlene Dortch, Secretary, Office of the Secretary. [FR Doc. 2021–00193 Filed 1–8–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712–01–P 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 Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: 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 postprogram report template, identified by WC Docket No. 20–89, by the following method: • Comments must be filed electronically using the Federal SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\11JAN1.SGM 11JAN1 1970 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 6 / Monday, January 11, 2021 / Notices jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES Communications Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System at: https://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/fcccloses-headquarters-open-window-andchanges-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 fcc504@fcc.gov 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, stephanie.minnock@fcc.gov 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 postprogram 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 22:36 Jan 08, 2021 Jkt 253001 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 PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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 postprogram 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 FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION Sunshine Act Meeting Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. PLACE: Virtual meeting. Note: Because of the covid-19 pandemic, we will conduct the open meeting virtually. If you would like to access the meeting, see the instructions below. STATUS: This meeting will be open to the public. To access the virtual meeting, go to the commission’s website TIME AND DATE: E:\FR\FM\11JAN1.SGM 11JAN1

Agencies

[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]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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: https://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
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.