For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Melissa Richey, Chief of Communications
405-982-8707 | melissa.richey@okhca.org
Katelynn Burns, Director of Public Affairs
405-522-7266 | katelynn.burns@okhca.org
SoonerCare members eligible for little to no cost broadband service
Program comes as agency pushes members to go paperless
Oklahoma City, OK – A majority of the SoonerCare population now has access to a long-term benefit to help lower the cost of broadband service.
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a federal program administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that helps low-income households pay for internet service and connected devices like a laptop or tablet.
A household is eligible for the program if the household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. More than 85% of SoonerCare members are below that level.
Kevin Corbett, CEO of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, says costs should not be a barrier to getting online. “Being connected can help Oklahomans get access to resources beneficial to their health as well as telehealth services, saving time and transportation costs.”
For those Oklahomans receiving SoonerCare benefits, the ACP comes at a much-needed time.
“Our country is facing an envelope shortage, which could affect how OHCA primarily communicates to members,” said Corbett. “Forty-six percent of households receiving SoonerCare benefits opt-in to receive email. This means a large group of members still receive their information through the mail.”
The ACP will help SoonerCare members, who have not been able to afford broadband service, afford Internet so they can sign up to receive email notifications regarding their benefits. On average 350,000 letters are mailed monthly by OHCA to SoonerCare members.
“We are preparing notices to mail to those members affected by the end of the nation’s Public Health Emergency,” said Traylor Rains, State Medicaid Director. “We need people to opt-in to receiving electronic notifications, so we can save envelopes for those who will need that specific notification.”
Federal Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra extended the PHE’s continuous coverage created in 2020 for certain Medicaid members, effective April 16, 2022. The extension allows certain Oklahomans on Medicaid, who have become ineligible, to maintain their health coverage over the next 90 days.
OHCA estimates approximately 200,000 currently enrolled SoonerCare members could be affected once Secretary Becerra announces the end of the PHE.
To verify eligibility, OHCA needs members to update their information and documentation at mysoonercare.org, so members can be contacted through U.S. mail, emails, and phone calls.
OHCA also asks members to opt-in to paperless communication at mysoonercare.org if they have broadband services.
If they do not have broadband services and would like to sign up for the ACP, they can apply at ACPBenefit.org or call 1-877-384-2575. They will also need to contact their preferred provider to select a plan to have the discount applied to their bill.
The Affordable Connectivity Program provides:
- Up to $30/month discount for broadband service;
- Up to $75/month discount for households on qualifying Tribal lands; and
- A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet purchased through a participating provider if the household contributes more than $10 but less than $50 toward the purchase price.
The ACP is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household. Some providers may have an alternative application they will ask Oklahomans to complete.
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