Is telehealth medicine leaving?

Excerpt: “Have you ever had a telehealth appointment? Have you talked to your doctor through a video about a medical problem? Called an “online doctor” for urgent medical care?

For years, we have reaped the benefits of virtual health care options. Patients near and far have been able to improve their health access opportunities through telephone and video appointments-discussing medical care from the convenience of their home or during a break at work.

Telemedicine is the use of electronic information and communications technologies to provide and support health care.

During the COVID pandemic, telehealth medicine became essential to provide health access in a time when communities were limited in resources and access.

But prior to the pandemic, telehealth medicine was not very common as there were many restrictions including reimbursement restrictions and privacy challenges. Through years of health technology development and innovations, our telehealth communication options have strengthened and broadened.

But, unfortunately, all of this access can start coming to an end as the health industry reverts back to before 2020, before the COVID pandemic, when we did not embrace telehealth options very much.

On April 1, Medicare will stop covering most telehealth visit options. There will only be coverage for telehealth if it is related to rural medicine, end stage renal disease or behavioral health.

What does this mean? It means that most of the telehealth we’re utilizing right now will no longer be an option for Medicare patients. There will be no diabetes management, high blood pressure management, sick visits, asthma follow ups or check-ins through formal telehealth appointment visits.”

Check out full article HERE.