Evaluation Metrics

Applicants must provide the requested information to get points for the evaluation metrics. If you do not provide information for a particular metric, you will not get points for that metric. A list of the evaluation metrics, and the points applications may receive for each evaluation metric, are listed in the Scoring Criteria section above. These evaluation metrics were made public in March in the FCC COVID-19 Telehealth Program Round 2 Report and Order (FCC 21-39).

You may list information from any eligible HCP associated with your application to receive points for each evaluation metric.

  • Navigate to the Application Evaluation Metrics Tab.
  • Identify if the applicant or any affiliated HCP applied for Round 1 funding. If so, you will be prompted to enter whether any funding was awarded, along with the Round 1 Application Number (GRA00XXXX).
    • If you applied for Round 1 funding via PDF and/or did not receive an application number, attach documentation demonstrating that you applied during Round 1, e.g., an email confirming submission of your Round 1 application, using the paperclip icon at the top of the screen and provide a note of explanation in the Additional Round 1 Information field.

Evaluation Metrics 1

  • Identify if the applicant or any affiliated HCP is a Critical Access Hospital (CAH). If so, you will be prompted to enter the CAH site name and address, including county.
  • Identify if the applicant or any affiliated HCP is located in a “hardest hit area”, that is, in an area designated as a COVID-19 “hotspot” or “sustained hotspot” by the HHS dataset. If you choose either “yes” option, you will be prompted to enter the name, physical address, and county the eligible HCP provider site.

    Evaluation Metrics 2

  • If any eligible HCP associated with the application is located in a low-income area, defined as an area where the poverty rate is equal to or higher than the median poverty rate, select “yes”. You will then be prompted to enter the physical address, including county, and name of the eligible HCP provider site.
    • Points will not be provided on this metric until after submission and review. Up to 15 points may be awarded.

Evaluation Metrics 3

  • Identify if the applicant or any affiliated HCP is located in a Healthcare Provider Shortage Area (HPSA), based on the Primary Care Score. If so, you will be prompted to enter the institution or geographic Primary Care HPSA ID and score. You will also be prompted to enter the physical address and name of the eligible HCP provider site.

Evaluation Metrics 4

  • Identify if the applicant or any affiliated HCP qualifies for the Tribal factor. If so, you will be prompted to provide the name and physical address and county of the Tribal-eligible provider site.
    • Remember that Tribal eligibility consists of 1) location on Tribal lands, 2) operation by the Indian Health Service, or 3) other affiliation with a Tribe. Additional documentation must be submitted to support Option 3.

Evaluation Metrics 5

  • Identify if the applicant or any affiliated HCP is located in a rural area. If so, you will be prompted to provide the name and physical addressand county of the eligible, rural HCP site.

Evaluation Metrics 6

  • Identify if the applicant or any affiliated HCP is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), FQHC Look-Alike, or Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH). If so, you will be prompted to provide the FQHC, BHCMISID, UDS Number, or CMS Certification Number and attach any additional documentation, if necessary.
  • Click Save Draft to update your application.

Evaluation Metrics 7