Are Patients Asking Whether Telehealth Is Still an Option?

March 11, 2022

With the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions lessening in Illinois, along with many practices reporting the majority of their patient visits are once again in person, some patients may be wondering if they can still have telemedicine visits.

If a practice chooses to offer telemedicine visits, the answer is yes. Last summer, a new law (Public Act 102-0104) was enacted that makes permanent many of the emergency telemedicine rules that were authorized due to COVID-19. Telehealth services, e-visits, and virtual check-ins provided by healthcare professionals when clinically appropriate and medically necessary will be covered at the same level as any other in-person care covered under the policy.

The Illinois law only applies to plans regulated by the Illinois Department of Insurance. Individual ERISA plans (employer-sponsored group health plans) and Medicare have different rules.

Telemedicine is here to stay. ISMS’ Issue Brief, Telemedicine in Illinois: Emergency Measures Made Permanent, provides a comprehensive overview of the new telemedicine legislation.

Questions? Please contact the ISMS Health Policy Research and Advocacy team by email.