| Consortium |
A consortium (plural consortia) is a group of entities that apply together for funding. |
| CORES ID/FCC Registration Number (FRN) |
A 10-digit number that the FCC assigns to a business or individual that registers with the FCC. It is associated with an entity’s Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). |
| Critical Access Hospital (CAH) |
CAHs have <25 acute care inpatient beds and provide 24/7 emergency care services. They are prioritized for COVID-19 Telehealth Program funding. |
| Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) |
A proprietary system developed and regulated by Dun & Bradstreet. DUNS assigns a unique numeric identifier to a single business entity upon request. |
| Employment Identification Number (EIN) |
Also referred to as the Federal Tax Identification Number, an EIN is an example of a TIN and is used to identify a business entity. |
| FCC Form 460 |
A request for an eligibility determination that must be submitted in order to be able to participate in the COVID-19 Telehealth Program. |
| Federal Communications Commission (FCC) |
The U.S. government agency that regulates interstate and international communications and oversees the Universal Service Fund (USF). In 1997, the FCC designated USAC to be the independent not-for-profit corporation to administer the USF in accordance with its rules. |
| Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) |
FQHCs are community-based HCPs that receive funds from the HRSA. They are prioritized for COVID-19 Telehealth Program funding. FQHC Look-Alikes and Disproportionate Share Hospitals (DSHs) are also prioritized. |
| Health Care Provider (HCP) Number |
A number assigned to health care providers when they file an FCC Form 460. USAC then conducts an eligibility review. For Round 2, each lead HCP must have an approved eligibility determination from USAC to receive COVID-19 Telehealth Program funding. |
| Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) |
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) determines whether an area has a shortage of health professionals by analyzing a given geographic area, population, and medical facilities available to determine the HPSA score. Applicants must provide information about the Primary Care HPSA score (not the dental or behavioral health HPSA score) for Round 2. |
| My Portal |
A USAC system, which COVID-19 Telehealth Program applicants will use to file their FCC Form 460. |
| National Provider Identifier (NPI) |
A Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Administrative Simplification Standard. The NPI is a unique 10-digit identification number for covered HCPs. Covered HCPs and all health plans and health care clearinghouses must use the NPIs in the administrative and financial transactions adopted under HIPAA. |
| Public Notice (PN) |
A document issued by the FCC to notify the public of an action taken, a change made, or an upcoming event. |
| System for Awards Management (SAM) |
The federal System for Award Management (SAM) is an official website of the U.S. government in which users can register to do business with the U.S. government, update or renew their entity registration, check status of an entity registration, and search for entity registration and exclusion records. |
| Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) |
A unique identification number issued by either the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or the Social Security Administration (SSA). |
| Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) |
An independent, not-for-profit corporation that administers the FCC’s universal service fund programs, which help provide communities across the country with access to affordable telecommunications services. |
| Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB) |
The Bureau within the FCC that works to ensure that Americans have access to robust and affordable broadband and voice services. |
