Multiple Missouri health care facilities have been awarded federal funding to improve telehealth services during the coronavirus pandemic by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Through its COVID-19 Telehealth Program, the FCC has awarded more than $189 million to health care providers, including mental health facilities, across the nation as the pandemic persists. This money can be used to improve upon technology and services to conduct care remotely.
More than $6 million has been designated to health care facilities in Missouri.
“Since the adoption of the COVID-19 Telehealth Program, the FCC has acted quickly to review applications and approve funding so that more patients can be treated safely at home,” FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said.
Here’s a look at the Missouri hospitals that have received funding so far in reverse chronological order.
SSM Health
In St. Louis, SSM Health was given nearly $945,000 for software, computers, and other devices to help with video calls and virtual support. The money will help enable the hospital to consult in 20 hospitals in Missouri, Illinois, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin.
Barnes Jewish Hospital
Barnes Jewish Hospital was granted more than $996,000 for equipment, including tablet computers and remote patient monitoring kits. It can also use the funds for videoconferencing software, a subscription to a remote monitoring platform, and other telemedicine supplies. This will give the St. Louis hospital the ability to start a home monitoring program to keep track of vitals and symptoms, according to the FCC.
Burrell Behavioral Health
Springfield’s Burrell Behavioral Health was awarded more than $767,000 for computers, hotspots, videoconferencing equipment, and network upgrades to extend its ability to offer mental health services to those impacted by the pandemic. This will go to service both existing and new patients, including essential and front-line workers.
Ascension Health
Ascension Health in St. Louis received more than $926,000 for various equipment, including smartphones and tablets, to aid with virtual urgent and provider care. The equipment will also be used for hospital-based telehealth services to connect specialists with patients.
Excelsior Springs Hospitals and Clinics
The FCC approved $995,000 for Excelsior Springs Hospitals and Clinics. The health center, located in the Kansas City metro area, will be able to use the money for remote monitoring and diagnostic equipment that can be used in rural locations.
Missouri Delta Physician Services
Located in Sikeston, Missouri Depta Physician Services received more than $273,000 for laptops, tablets, and other equipment to be used for video consultation and remote treatment and monitoring of patients in clinics across southeastern Missouri.
Kansas City CARE Clinic
The Kansas City CARE Clinic received more than 90,000 for computers and software licenses to upgrade its telehealth system.
Heartland Regional Medical Center
Heartland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph was awarded $266,800 to be used for tablets and wireless data plans. The funding will also be used for connected remote monitoring equipment and telehealth software licenses to service high-risk and vulnerable patients, including those who have contracted COVID-19.
Jordan Valley Community Health Center
In Springfield, Jordan Valley Community Health Center received $742,780 for a telehealth platform, remote diagnostic and monitoring equipment, and tablets. The FCC said the equipment can be used to provide health services in a patient’s home.
This story has been updated. It was originally published on June 12.
EDITOR’S NOTE: For up-to-date information on coronavirus, check with the CDC and DHSS.
Kaitlyn Schallhorn was the editor in chief of The Missouri Times from 2020-2022. She joined the newspaper in early 2019 after working as a reporter for Fox News in New York City.
Throughout her career, Kaitlyn has covered political campaigns across the U.S., including the 2016 presidential election, and humanitarian aid efforts in Africa and the Middle East.
She is a native of Missouri who studied journalism at Winthrop University in South Carolina. She is also an alumna of the National Journalism Center in Washington, D.C.
Contact Kaitlyn at kaitlyn@themissouritimes.com.
