Elevance Health announced at CES that it will give free smartphones to Medicaid program members to help them access healthcare services
Elevance Health is addressing a critical care gap for its underserved members by giving them a smartphone to connect with healthcare resources.
The Indianapolis-based insurer formerly known as Anthem, which announced the program at CES 2024 this past week in Las Vegas, is targeting a Medicaid population that faces barriers to accessing the care they need. According to Elevance, roughly one quarter of American households making $30,000 or less a year aren’t using a smartphone, and 43% don’t have home broadband internet access.
"The lack of sufficient internet connectivity and technology access remains a significant barrier for many – increasing health inequities," Kurt Small, president of Elevance Health’s Medicaid business, said in a press release. “This program aims to directly address this challenge and helps improve the health of the people we serve.”
The program targets a glaring care gap that both payers and healthcare organizations are trying to address through digital health and telemedicine. Consumers who have trouble accessing care often end up in a clinic or hospital later on with a serious health issue that could have been prevented, and which now will cost more to treat and affect long-term clinical outcomes. That, in turn, puts stress on Medicaid and Medicare programs that support those populations.
CES, through its Digital Health Summit, often focuses on using consumer technology to close gaps. This year’s summit track and exhibit halls featured a wide variety of strategies and technologies aimed at helping consumers monitor their health and connect with care providers at the time and place of their choosing.
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Elevance Health is targeting the root of the problem: Communication. The company is offering qualified members on Medicaid programs a smartphone with unlimited data, talk, and texting services, as well as customized access to healthcare resources, both digital and virtual, and instructions on how to use the phone.
“Increased availability of digital technologies, such as a smartphone, as well as fast, reliable internet is critical to supporting a person’s health journey," Omid Toloui, Elevance Health’s vice president of innovation, said in the press release. “We believe the digital tools and the custom, curated experience offered through this program can help improve health, make healthcare more affordable, and serve people more equitably.”
The program is supported with funds from the Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and offered through partnerships with Verizon, Samsung, AT&T, and T-Mobile.
Eric Wicklund is the associate content manager and senior editor for Innovation at HealthLeaders.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Roughly 25% of American households making less than $30,000 have access to a smartphone, and more than 40% aren’t using broadband internet.
This population is struggling to access healthcare services, often ending up in a hospital or clinic later on with more serious and costly healthcare issues.
Elevance Health, formerly Anthem, is addressing the gap by giving qualified Medicaid members a smartphone, along with unlimited talk, text, and messaging services, directions on how to use the phone and customized access to healthcare resources.