CoBank, EveryoneOn, Navicent Health and Robin Health, announced the launch of the ConnectWell pilot program in Macon, Ga. The program, which is funded by CoBank, will provide 100 diabetic patients in rural southwest Georgia an Internet-ready tablet to enable them to manage and monitor their diabetes from home through an application, and a direct connection to physicians at Family Health Center, Navicent Health, a member of Navicent Health Physician Group, in Macon.
 
CoBank, a cooperative bank serving agribusinesses, rural infrastructure providers and Farm Credit associations throughout the United States, is funding the project to highlight the efficiency of universal high-speed Internet in rural areas to assist in driving down healthcare costs.
 
“More than 70 percent of communities in the US with a shortage to primary care doctors are in rural areas,” said Tom Halverson, president and CEO of CoBank. “Coupled with a staggering lack of access to high-speed Internet, the health of rural America is disadvantaged in comparison to their urban counterparts. This project is an important step forward as a larger proof of concept and we are proud to back it.”
 
“The strength of the local partnerships in Middle and Southwest Georgia sets the stage for this program’s success,” said Congressman Sanford Bishop. “Leveraging high-speed internet to bring patients closer to their doctors has the potential to dramatically improve communication and patient care. I applaud the ConnectWell pilot for bringing innovative healthcare solutions right to the hands of rural Georgians.”
 
“The benefits of rural high-speed internet are tremendous - not only in business and education, but also in healthcare. This pilot program will highlight how broadband can reduce costs to deliver effective and efficient healthcare here in Georgia,” said Congressman Austin Scott. “I will continue to pursue ways to close the digital divide so that 21st century opportunities and economic prosperity can come to rural America.”   
 
ConnectWell is managed by EveryoneOn, a nonprofit that aims to eliminate the digital divide by connecting all people in America to Internet utilizing three key components; affordable, high speed home Internet service, affordable devices to use the service and top-notch literacy training.
 
The ConnectWell pilot program is based on a University of Mississippi Medical Center program that helped lower patient blood sugar levels, had zero hospital and emergency room remittances, enhanced the ability of patients to manage their own healthcare and, by extension, drove down costs for hospitals and patients.
 
The program highlights the potential of telehealth programs in rural areas and the need for rural broadband access. As agencies and organizations debate the cost of deploying rural broadband, they often overlook the life-improving efficiencies that can be gained with the access to broadband and the host of essential services, including healthcare that can be delivered.
 
“Navicent Health is committed to enhancing health and healthcare through access, affordability and equity of care close to home. We are pleased to join with our partners to launch the ConnectWell pilot program for the benefit of diabetic patients in our region, and look forward to replicating this program in other areas and for patients with other chronic conditions,” said Dr. Ninfa M. Saunders, President and CEO of Navicent Health.
 
In rural communities, low-income patients with diabetes sometimes do not get the preventative care they need. Problems that could have been resolved with routine care often spiral out of control until an emergency room visit is required. Patients are left without sufficient support or knowledge to truly take control of their own healthcare. As patients struggle to maintain their care at home, hospitals struggle to maintain costs and expenditures surrounding chronic diseases, which are often exacerbated by preventable emergency room admittances.