Outer Cape Health Services is seeking federal and philanthropic support to build sustainable telehealth capacity serving rural, seasonal, and medically underserved communities across Cape Cod.
Outer Cape Health Services (OCHS) provides comprehensive primary care and behavioral health services to some of the most geographically isolated communities in Massachusetts. Despite strong community trust and high‑quality care delivery, structural barriers—including workforce shortages, transportation challenges, and seasonal population surges—limit timely access to care.
This project will establish the infrastructure needed to deliver care more flexibly, efficiently, and equitably through telehealth.
Outer Cape Health Services is a Federally Qualified Health Center serving the communities of Provincetown, Truro, Wellfleet, and Eastham. For 40 years, OCHS has delivered integrated primary care, behavioral health services, and community‑based programs to year‑round and seasonal residents alike.
Comprehensive medical services for individuals and families across all life stages
Integrated mental health and substance use treatment
Outreach and partnership programs connecting residents with essential health resources
Services delivered virtually and across multiple locations throughout the Outer Cape region
Telehealth offers a scalable solution—but only with the appropriate infrastructure in place.
Fully equipped telehealth rooms at all OCHS sites, designed for high‑quality remote encounters with full technical and clinical support.
Deployment of RPM technologies enabling continuous monitoring of chronic disease patients between visits, improving outcomes and reducing hospitalizations.
Expanded telepsychiatry and tele‑counseling services addressing the region's significant unmet behavioral health demand.
Comprehensive training programs and hybrid workflow integration ensuring clinical staff are confident and efficient in telehealth delivery.
Beginning in 2027, OCHS will deploy secure, HIPAA‑compliant telehealth infrastructure—including patient devices and implementation support—to deliver care directly to patients’ homes and reduce access barriers related to geography, mobility, and transportation.
| Budget | Category | Investment Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| $450,000 | Home‑Based Care Kits | Procure and deploy full home‑based telehealth kits for patients, including initial distribution and replacement units, enabling secure virtual visits for individuals without adequate technology at home. |
| $230,000 | Connectivity & Patient Access | Expand patient connectivity through data plans, mobile hotspots, and related devices to ensure reliable, private telehealth access in rural and low‑bandwidth areas. |
| $80,000 | Telehealth Platform & Integration | Support expanded use of the telehealth platform, including EHR integration, licensing, and AI‑enabled clinical documentation tools to improve efficiency and provider capacity. |
| $70,000 | Device Ecosystem Expansion | Purchase additional endpoint devices to support scale‑up of home‑based care and accommodate increased patient participation. |
| $60,000 | Data Security & Analytics | Strengthen security, privacy, and analytics capabilities to ensure HIPAA compliance, protect patient data, and support program monitoring and reporting. |
| $210,000 | Implementation & Patient Support Personnel | Fund time‑limited digital navigators and IT support to assist with telehealth implementation, patient onboarding, and troubleshooting during deployment. |
| $1,100,000 | Total Investment | Targeted investment to establish secure, HIPAA‑compliant, home‑based telehealth capacity that expands access to care while addressing geographic, mobility, and transportation barriers. |
This investment establishes the foundation for long‑term, sustainable telehealth delivery.
Outer Cape Health Services maintains deep collaborative relationships across the region, ensuring this project reflects community‑wide priorities and has broad‑based support.
LillyLulu Foundation, Bilezikian Foundation, and individual donors’ contributions help scale services and expand access
Municipal health boards across all ten Outer Cape towns
Serving as key outreach and engagement partners
Public and nonprofit agencies supporting care continuity and access for rural and underserved residents
“This initiative is an innovative, patient-centered model that not only improves access but also strengthens the sustainability of health care in rural communities. With robust telehealth infrastructure, residents will receive timely, coordinated care that has been proven to reduce unnecessary, costly emergency room visits and hospitalizations, while supporting preventive health and chronic disease management.”
— State Senator Julian Cyr
OCHS already delivers telehealth services, providing a foundation to build upon
Senior leadership team with demonstrated expertise in integrated care delivery
Community health needs assessment identifying technology and access priorities
Physical sites, EHR systems, and clinical workflows prepared for expansion
Federal investment and philanthropic support is essential to build the infrastructure required to meet the region's current and future health care needs. This project strengthens health care access, equity, and behavioral health capacity in a medically underserved coastal region.
For congressional staff, program officers, donors, and partner organizations seeking additional information about this project.
Chief Executive Officer
Outer Cape Health Services
Director of Development
Outer Cape Health Services
