LA Community Centers Offer Free Wi-Fi to Support Telehealth Services

Two California health plans are re-opening four community resource centers and providing free Wi-Fi for anyone needing to access telehealth services.

The centers, in Pomona, Lynwood, East Los Angeles and Palmdale, had been closed earlier this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Jointly operated by the Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan and LA Care Health Plan, they offer member support services, enrolment in local and state assistance programs and other community services.

The free Wi-Fi service, a new addition, addresses a significant barrier to connected health access in underserved communities. Many residents don’t have easy access to broadband connectivity, either because the service isn’t available or it’s too expensive, and health systems are reluctant to expand their offerings into areas where connectivity isn’t reliable.

Along with federally qualified health centers and rural health centers, community health centers hold promise in expanding access to healthcare for underserved populations, whether they’re in rural communities or inner-city neighborhoods. The benefits are seen not only in in-person care, but telehealth and mHealth access to other care providers and resources.

Executives of the two LA health plans say the decision to offer free Wi-Fi was prompted by an increase in demand for telehealth access during the COVID-19 emergency, which saw many providers either close physical offices or strictly limit in-person visits to emergencies.

"Many community members are in need," Kellie Todd Griffin, senior director of community and provider engagement with Blue Shield of California’s Promise Health Plan, said in a press release. "In safely reopening our centers, we are ensuring the community will have access to the support and services they need while navigating through this difficult time. The centers will serve as a resource where they can connect to their communities."  

The centers are part of a five-year, $146 million initiative launched by the two health plans in 2019 to expand community health access across Los Angeles County. Fourteen health centers are planned, and two new centers – in downtown Los Angeles near Koreatown and El Monte – are scheduled to open soon.