Now, physicians are thinking about how they can shape what telemedicine—whether it is a routine exam or care following a hospital discharge—should look like going forward.
Last month, Medicare announced that it would extend most telehealth coverage through 2023, to allow time to “evaluate whether the services should be permanently added” to its coverage. It had already made certain telehealth services permanent. Some services are scheduled to end when the declared public health emergency ends, which could occur before the end of 2023.
The number of Pennsylvanians who have come to rely on phone and video appointments surged after the pandemic made in-person visits potentially dangerous. And many health-care providers and insurance companies quickly embraced telehealth as a necessary way of getting patients needed care. But the state is one of only seven that does not have any law governing or regulating telehealth, resulting in a patchwork system of care.
Families can experience lengthy waitlists for diagnostic evaluations and services, and there may even be geographic barriers to access these specialized services.
The Ohio General Assembly moved closer to permanently expanding access to telehealth for Ohioans after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the option nearly two years ago.
Virtual visits and telehealth became part of the norm for doctors and patients throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. However, both hospital staff from Mercy and CoxHealth say the demand for those virtual visits is still high and they expect it to continue to grow in the future.