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Lack of Internet Access as Barrier to Healthcare Access 

Ever sign up for something – a gym membership or program at the local community center – and due to lack of resources or time, don’t use it? It happens. It also happens with healthcare. While the reasons vary why insured individuals don’t go to the doctor, there’s one that impacts many U.S. households – lack of internet access. 

Here’s what we know. 

• Nearly 40% of U.S. households – 48 million – fall below 200% of the federal poverty line¹, limiting their ability to afford high-speed internet access 

• 24.8% of Americans – 15,955,375 people – work multiple jobs², limiting their time to go the doctor 

Layer in access to childcare or affordable childcare, and we’re looking at some major barriers to visiting the doctor. 

Affordable Connectivity Program offers high-speed internet solution  

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is an FCC benefit program that provides eligible households a discount of up to $30 per month ($75 per month for households on tribal lands) off their internet bills. In addition, more than 20 leading internet providers are offering ACP-eligible households high-speed internet plans for no more than $30 per month. That means a family can pair its $30 ACP benefit with a plan from one of these high-speed internet providers and pay $0 per month! 

The marriage of high-speed internet and healthcare 

For those 48 million households below 200% of the federal poverty line, and that subset that works multiple jobs, low- or no-cost internet access is a portal to getting the healthcare they need…via virtual care.  

With an increased number of healthcare providers offering virtual care (thanks COVID), getting care is now easier than ever before. And with high-speed internet (thanks to ACP), the marriage of internet and healthcare is clearly meant to be.  

Find out if you qualify for ACP 

• Learn more about ACP at www.fcc.gov/acp
• Find out if you qualify and sign up
• Questions? Call the ACP Support Center at 877-384-2575  

Give your healthcare the attention it deserves – with ACP and virtual care. Access Blue KC virtual care on the MyBlueKC app or from your computer at BlueKCVirtualCare.com. Have questions about virtual care? Call our local Customer Service reps at the number on the back of your ID card.  

¹White House Fact Sheet, May 2022 

²Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Multiple Jobholders as a Percent of Employed, June 2022