Elevance Health Expands Digital Access to Healthcare, Helping Bridge the Digital Divide Across America
As healthcare becomes increasingly dependent on digital technology, access to reliable internet, connected devices, and digital literacy has emerged as a critical factor in determining health outcomes. Recognizing this growing challenge, Elevance Health is taking significant steps to bridge the healthcare digital divide through innovative programs designed to connect individuals with the tools, resources, and support necessary to effectively manage their health.
Across the United States, millions of individuals continue to face barriers to digital access. While healthcare organizations are rapidly expanding virtual care, telehealth services, mobile applications, and digital communication platforms, many underserved populations remain unable to fully benefit from these advancements due to limited connectivity, lack of suitable devices, or insufficient digital skills. Elevance Health is addressing these challenges through a comprehensive strategy focused on making healthcare more accessible, equitable, and consumer-centered.
The company’s efforts reflect a broader commitment to ensuring that technological innovation benefits everyone, regardless of income level, geographic location, language preference, or social circumstances. By integrating digital access into the healthcare experience, Elevance Health is helping individuals overcome obstacles that have historically limited their ability to access care, communicate with providers, and engage with health services.
The Growing Importance of Digital Health Access
Healthcare delivery has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past decade. Digital tools now play an essential role in nearly every aspect of the patient experience, from scheduling appointments and accessing medical records to consulting with healthcare providers and managing chronic conditions.
Telehealth platforms have expanded access to care for patients living in rural communities, while mobile health applications provide users with convenient ways to monitor health conditions, refill prescriptions, and receive personalized wellness guidance. Artificial intelligence, remote monitoring technologies, and digital care coordination systems are further enhancing healthcare accessibility and efficiency.
However, the benefits of these innovations cannot be fully realized if individuals lack the means to access them. The healthcare digital divide remains a significant challenge across the country. Many low-income households do not have reliable broadband internet service, while others rely exclusively on smartphones for online access. Language barriers, limited technical knowledge, and inadequate digital literacy can further restrict participation in digital healthcare services.
As healthcare systems increasingly rely on digital platforms, individuals without access to these tools risk being left behind. Missed appointments, reduced communication with healthcare providers, delayed access to medical information, and lower engagement with preventive care services can contribute to poorer health outcomes and increased healthcare costs.
Elevance Health recognizes that digital access is no longer simply a technology issue—it is a healthcare issue. The organization believes that improving connectivity and digital literacy can directly contribute to better patient experiences, stronger health outcomes, and greater health equity.
A Consumer-Centered Approach to Healthcare Innovation
At the heart of Elevance Health’s digital strategy is a commitment to improving the overall consumer experience. The organization aims to simplify healthcare navigation, reduce administrative complexity, and help individuals access the services they need more efficiently.
According to company leadership, healthcare consumers often face challenges understanding benefits, locating appropriate providers, managing appointments, and coordinating care. Digital tools can help address these issues by providing easier access to information, streamlining communication, and offering personalized support.
Saurabh Tandon, Chief Experience Officer at Elevance Health, emphasizes the importance of meeting consumers where they are and removing obstacles that prevent access to care. By leveraging technology thoughtfully and inclusively, the company seeks to create a healthcare experience that is more intuitive, responsive, and accessible for all individuals.
This consumer-focused approach extends beyond technology deployment. Elevance Health is also investing in education, support services, and partnerships that help ensure individuals can confidently use digital healthcare tools and benefit from the services available to them.
Get Connected for Health: Expanding Access Through Connectivity
One of the most impactful initiatives supporting this mission is Elevance Health’s Get Connected for Health program. Designed to address the root causes of digital exclusion, the program provides eligible members with the resources needed to participate fully in today’s digital healthcare environment.
Through Get Connected for Health, eligible participants receive high-quality smartphones equipped with healthcare applications and digital wellness tools. These devices come with unlimited talk, text, and data services at no cost, helping eliminate financial barriers that may prevent individuals from staying connected.
The smartphones are preloaded with a carefully selected suite of digital health resources, including telehealth platforms, health plan applications, appointment scheduling tools, medication management resources, and personalized wellness programs. This integrated approach enables members to access essential healthcare services directly from their devices.
The program acknowledges that connectivity itself has become a social determinant of health. Reliable internet access allows individuals to engage with healthcare providers, obtain health information, manage chronic conditions, and participate in preventive care initiatives. By expanding access to digital resources, Elevance Health is helping create more equitable opportunities for individuals to manage their health and well-being.
Beyond device distribution, the program also includes educational support and technical assistance. Participants receive guidance on using their devices, navigating digital health applications, and accessing available services. This emphasis on digital literacy helps ensure that technology investments translate into meaningful healthcare engagement.
The initiative has been developed in collaboration with leading telecommunications providers, creating scalable solutions capable of serving hundreds of thousands of members across multiple states. Early program outcomes indicate increased utilization of digital healthcare resources and stronger member engagement, highlighting the effectiveness of combining connectivity with personalized healthcare support.
CareBridge: Connecting Vulnerable Populations to Continuous Care
In addition to Get Connected for Health, Elevance Health is expanding digital healthcare access through CareBridge, a value-based care organization focused on supporting individuals with complex health and social needs.
CareBridge serves a diverse population that includes Medicaid beneficiaries, Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan members, and individuals receiving home and community-based services. Many of these populations face significant barriers to accessing traditional healthcare services, making innovative care delivery models particularly important.
To address these challenges, CareBridge provides patients with user-friendly, cellular-enabled tablets that offer direct access to healthcare professionals and support services. These devices are specifically designed to be simple and accessible, ensuring that individuals with varying levels of technical experience can use them effectively.
Through the CareBridge platform, patients can connect with care teams twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week through video consultations, messaging, and other virtual communication channels. This continuous access to support enables individuals to receive assistance when needed without requiring travel to healthcare facilities.
The platform also prioritizes language accessibility. CareBridge clinicians collectively speak nineteen languages and provide support in hundreds of additional languages through interpreter services. This multilingual approach helps eliminate communication barriers that can prevent individuals from receiving appropriate care and understanding important health information.
By combining technology, care coordination, and culturally responsive support, CareBridge helps patients remain connected to healthcare services while maintaining independence within their communities. The model supports improved health outcomes, enhanced quality of life, and reduced reliance on emergency healthcare services.
About Elevance Health
Elevance Health is a lifetime, trusted health partner whose purpose is to improve the health of humanity. The company supports consumers, families, and communities across the entire healthcare journey – connecting them to the care, support, and resources they need to lead better lives. Elevance Health’s companies serve approximately 105 million consumers through a diverse portfolio of industry-leading medical, pharmacy, behavioral, clinical, home health, and complex care solutions
