How Telemedicine Benefits Became a Casualty of Congress’s Chaos

Unfortunately, he noted, the expiration of the Affordable Connectivity Program in June, which discounted broadband internet access for eligible households, will make it more difficult for some low-income patients to conduct video appointments. “Seeing some of the support that made [health care] accessible now start to diminish, whether it’s funding or reimbursement or affordability of broadband,” is “kind of an unfortunate story that’s unfolding,” he said.

These concerns speak to the importance of pay parity—that doctors get paid the same amount from insurance for in-person and telehealth visits, including audio-only. The telehealth policy changes introduced at the beginning of the pandemic guaranteed this, and must continue for safety net clinics like Dr. Woldeyesus’s to continue providing this service. Though the stopgap bill does include a measure to bill audio services at the same rate as video or in-person, it also upholds a pay cut for Medicare providers, and left out $4.6 billion towards community health center funding, which was included in the original version.

Telemedicine coverage is also crucial for increasing health care access for people who live in rural communities. Leigh Boyd, a Medicare patient who lives in the 300-person town of Irwin, Idaho, said that taking away telemedicine coverage would be “a disaster.” Where she lives, there is no mass transit or Uber, so transportation can be an issue, especially in inclement weather. The closest medical hub is an hour away in Idaho Falls, she said, but for more complex care, people might have to travel over four hours to Salt Lake City.