The COVID-19 pandemic ushered in a significant rise in the use of telehealth across the United States, particularly benefiting those enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). These changes were initiated due to federal and state-led policy shifts aimed at expanding access to care and reducing the risk of viral exposure. Beneficiaries could receive telehealth services without leaving their homes.
This innovation was keenly observed in North Carolina, where the Department of Health and Human Services swiftly adapted its policy framework to maximize the potential of telehealth. However, these changes, while reactive and necessary, have illuminated crucial policy considerations in the realm of digital healthcare.
North Carolina, like many other states, had to navigate within the existing regulatory confines to make telehealth services a viable alternative. Despite the challenges, the COVID-19 pandemic era has offered a unique opportunity for policy-makers to measure the impact and effectiveness of such a delivery model from the perspective of providers, beneficiaries, and overall health outcomes.
Policies surrounding telehealth will now shape the future of healthcare in America. The experiences of North Carolina, alongside other states, will undoubtedly influence future domestic and potentially international telehealth policies. The temporary policy shifts enacted during the pandemic have become valuable test runs for telehealth delivery.
This article only scratches the surface of the rich terrain of telehealth policy. For comprehensive insights into North Carolina’s policy changes and lessons learned during the pandemic, delve into this rigorous analysis by Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, available here.