Healthcare Technology Featured Article

August 16, 2011

Medicaid Plan Members Offered Free Cell Phones


Collaboration with ReadyWireless has been announced by Medagate Corporation. Medicaid Members will be now offered cell phones for free. The phones will be provided via the federal Lifeline Assistance program. OTCNetwork is the only national over-the-counter or OTC healthcare benefit payments platform which is powered by Medagate.

ReadyWireless provides Lifeline programs in all 50 states unlike other Lifeline program providers which provided limited service to some states. Medicaid Plans can now have direct communication with members via cell phone due to the combined offering. Medagate's OTCMedicaid card platform can be used by Medicaid Plans to offer wellness incentives around preventative health initiatives.

In a release, Dennis Henderson, co-founder and CEO of ReadyWireless said, "One of the biggest challenges Medicaid Plans face is an inability to reach or communicate directly with members. The result is that they are unable track and manage chronic health conditions, or for example remind expecting mothers of prenatal office visits, critical to successful health outcomes and reducing Medicaid program costs."

According to Devin Wade, CEO of Medagate, wellness programs can be delivered by Medagate. The programs are delivered via the OTCMedicaid card platform for member participation in preventative health initiatives. These programs can be launched only for the purchase of health-related items and services by more than 35,000 top retailer locations across the nation.

Wade said, "Through this unique partnership, we are enabling leading health plans to improve member health and communication, encourage patient self-care through over-the-counter health-related items, and ultimately increase HEDIS or Health Effectiveness Data Set scores."

Income-eligible consumers are provided discounts on basic monthly service for wireless service at the primary residence by the Lifeline Assistance program. While the federal Universal Service Fund or USF supports this program, the Federal Communications Commission or FCC administers this program. Apart from the free phone, 100 and 250 free airtime minutes are offered by Lifeline programsto Medicaid members each month depending on the state.

Additional airtime minutes can be also purchased by Medicaid members. ReadyWireless’ AirFair Wireless service which is available at thousands of top retailer locations across the nation can be used for the same.

Want to learn more about the latest in communications and technology? Then be sure to attend ITEXPO West 2011, taking place Sept. 13-15, 2011, in Austin, Texas. ITEXPO offers an educational program to help corporate decision makers select the right IP-based voice, video, fax and unified communications solutions to improve their operations. It's also where service providers learn how to profitably roll out the services their subscribers are clamoring for – and where resellers can learn about new growth opportunities. To register, click here.


Carolyn John is a Contributor to HealthTechZone. To read more of her articles, please columnist page.

Edited by Rich Steeves
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