12 Million Americans Lack Broadband Access for Telehealth, Study Finds
New research indicates approximately 12 million Americans cannot access telehealth services due to unavailable or inadequate broadband infrastructure, with the majority residing in rural areas. The study highlights ongoing digital divide challenges that limit virtual care delivery in communities that could benefit most from remote access to healthcare providers. While telehealth utilization has grown across Medicaid programs since the pandemic, this infrastructure gap affects beneficiaries' ability to access covered services in underserved areas. The findings underscore persistent barriers to care delivery models that states and managed care plans have increasingly incorporated into benefit design.
Medicaid managed care plans and state agencies relying on telehealth to expand access in rural and underserved areas face continued infrastructure limitations affecting approximately 12 million potential beneficiaries, potentially undermining network adequacy strategies and alternative care delivery investments.
Managed Care
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