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Emergency Broadband Benefits can Help Increase Telehealth Usage Among Patients

Date: 08/11/21

Reliance on the internet skyrocketed during the pandemic for services such as telehealth visits. Helping patients stay connected digitally through broadband services has proven to be more than a luxury: it is a necessity. Study1 after study2 have identified the causes and effects of the Digital Divide – or the limited ability of people in underserved, low income, and rural areas to access or afford basic internet services. Telehealth use in these areas is lower than in other areas. Many of your patients may fall into this category.

What is the Emergency Broadband Benefit?

The Emergency Broadband Benefit is an emergency program created by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides a discount of up to $50 per month toward broadband services for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on tribal land. It also provides a one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet.*

The program does not have a set end date. It will continue until all funds are depleted or six months after the Department of Health and Human Services declares an end to the pandemic, whichever comes first.

Who is eligible for Emergency Broadband Benefits?

Eligible households only need to meet one of the following criteria to qualify for benefits:

  • Qualify for SNAP, Medicaid, or the Lifeline program;
  • Receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program (or have received during the previous school year);
  • Received a Federal Pell Grant this year;
  • Experienced a substantial loss of income since Feb. 29, 2020 and the household had a total income below $99,000 for single filers or $198,000 for joint filers in 2020; or
  • Qualify for a participating providers' existing low-income or COVID-19 program.

How can my patients apply for the benefit?

Individuals can call their participating broadband provider of choice to see if they qualify and enroll over the phone. Provider participation in the program varies from state to state. A list of participating emergency broadband benefit providers can be found here7.

Patients can also apply online directly at GetEmergencyBroadband.org, or call 1-833-511-0311 for a mail-in application.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS AND SUPPORTS

The Emergency Broadband Benefit can be combined with other discount and benefit programs. Additional resources that patients may qualify for include:

LIFELINE: Lifeline is an FCC program that provides subscribers a discount of up to $9.25 on monthly telephone service, broadband Internet service, or bundled voice-broadband packages. For information about how to qualify and apply, visit the Lifeline Support4 page.

SAFELINK: SafeLink is a federal phone and data program available to SNAP recipients and Medicaid beneficiaries. Through SafeLink, eligible recipients receive free minutes, texts, and data every month. Benefits vary by state. For more information on how to enroll, visit the SafeLink Enrollment5 page.

ACCESS FROM AT&T: Access from AT&T provides low-cost internet service including in-home Wi-Fi for $10/month or less in some areas. Currently, Access from AT&T is available in portions of Indiana. Visit ACCESS from AT&T6 to find out more.

TELEHEALTH ACCESS

Managed Health Services (MHS) is committed to helping your patients get the best possible care. If your practice does not currently carry telehealth options, or does not offer after-hours availability, below are additional telehealth resources MHS patients can use.

TELADOC®: Teladoc is a virtual care resource that connects patients with doctors, therapists, and medical experts by phone or video. To find out more about Teladoc, visit the How It Works8 page.

For more information about the Emergency Broadband Benefits Program, or if patients would like additional help getting healthy food, housing, transportation, or support with other life activities, encourage your patients to contact their health plan. MHS can be reached at 1-877-647-4848.

SOURCES:

* The benefit is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.

  1. https://academic.oup.com/jamia/article/27/7/1147/5826352
  2. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2020/04/30/53-of-americans-say-the-internet-has-been-essential-during-the-covid-19-outbreak/
  3. https://www.fcc.gov/lifeline-consumers
  4. https://www.lifelinesupport.org
  5. https://www.safelinkwireless.com/Enrollment/Safelink/en/Web/www/default/index.html#!/newHome
  6. https://www.att.com/internet/access/
  7. https://www.fcc.gov/emergency-broadband-benefit-providers
  8. https://www.teladoc.com/how-it-works/
  9. https://us-support.babylonhealth.com/hc/en-us


Last Updated: 08/11/2021