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Telehealth has been an alternative way to consult with your doctor since the mid-2010s, but reached its peak in the 2020s. The service focuses on online doctor visits using electronic devices instead of driving to the doctor in person. The remote service benefits seniors, people in rural areas, and adults unable to see a doctor due to injury, illness, or other reasons. Does health insurance cover this rising trend?
Are Telehealth Services Covered in Your Health Insurance Policy?
Most insurance providers in Columbia, IL cover telehealth services, but not all. The Illinois Insurance Code expects insurance providers who offer telehealth coverage to make the coverage equal to in-person doctor visits. The Illinois Telehealth Act takes it one step further. Insurance companies cannot add extra requirements to obtain coverage that in-person visits don’t require. Both laws eliminate discrimination toward telehealth, giving patients freedom of choice rather than forcing them to choose one.
What Other Legal Information Does Illinois Provide About Telehealth?
The Illinois Telehealth Act doesn’t define telehealth with specifics. Therefore, online doctor visits, phone calls, remote monitoring, e-visits, and virtual check-ins qualify as telehealth. The act also states that telehealth doctors must provide the same quality of care as in-person visits.
The Illinois Controlled Substances Act allows doctors to prescribe controlled substances through telehealth. Separate regulations cover diabetic patients, telemedicine, oral communication, and asynchronous store-and-forward systems. Privacy and security comply with HIPAA and the Illinois Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA).
Taake Insurance Agency will examine existing health insurance coverage to confirm that telehealth is part of the offerings. If you don’t have health insurance, using us to find the right telehealth insurance partner is a smart move. We discuss the specifics of each plan and answer questions. For more information on telehealth, contact Taake Insurance Agency by phone or in person at our Columbia, IL office.
