[The following is a paid advertisement.]

Telehealth use has increased among children to seniors, with every demographic quickly growing accustomed to virtual care as a result of COVID-19. Over one in four Medicare beneficiaries had a telehealth visit between the summer and fall of 2020. Similarly, one in five children had a telehealth visit during the pandemic.

The Coalition to Protect Telehealth advocates for patient-centered virtual care that’s high-quality, accessible and safe. The Coalition urges Illinois senators to vote “YES” on House Bill 3498 to preserve access to telehealth.

Coverage of telehealth services by traditional Medicare expanded during the pandemic, with 64% (33.6 million) of beneficiaries saying their providers offered telehealth during the pandemic vs. 18% pre-pandemic. Medicare beneficiaries more likely to utilize telehealth were:

• Those under age 65 with long-term disabilities;
• Black and Hispanic beneficiaries;
• Those enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid; and
• Beneficiaries with multiple chronic conditions.

Among children’s virtual visits, one in three parents chose telehealth primarily for its convenience. Parents said they preferred telehealth for minor illnesses and mental health, and 90% who used telehealth for the first time were satisfied with the visit.

Passing HB 3498 will ensure Illinoisans continue to have access to innovative telehealth services after the pandemic. Learn more at https://protectillinoistelehealth.org/.