Telehealth adoption advanced significantly during the COVID-19 global pandemic, providing access to needed healthcare for many Illinoisans. Safe and convenient, access to healthcare services delivered using telehealth must be made permanent beyond the pandemic and reimbursed like in-person care. Our coalition—made up of Illinois healthcare providers, professionals and patient advocates—supports House Bill 3498 to Protect Access to Telehealth, sponsored by State Rep. Deb Conroy. See our press release and fact sheet.
Coalition to Protect Telehealth
Our diverse group of Illinois healthcare providers, professionals and patient advocates seeks to modernize healthcare and empower patients. Critical to this goal, the Coalition strongly supports legislation to reimburse telehealth services at the same rate as in-person care. Passing a telehealth equity bill will ensure providers continue to invest in and offer innovative, patient-centered virtual care. As a key strategy to address health disparities, telehealth reduces social, economic and environmental barriers to care, like transportation, distance, child care and insurance costs.
See the Coalition’s 10 Principles for Protecting Telehealth.
Learn more about how permanent telehealth coverage will expand Illinoisans’ access to quality, appropriate care.
Telehealth Flexibilities Benefit Patients
Telehealth technologies deliver the flexibility needed to offer patient-centered care that improves access, reduces barriers and promotes equity-driven care. Providers, patients and patient advocates in Illinois have demonstrated the positive impacts of telehealth for patients across the state. Read More about how telehealth flexibilities benefit patients.
Advocating for Telehealth Equity
The Coalition respectfully urges the General Assembly to enact telehealth legislation based on our 10 key principles. We advocate strongly for telehealth services to be reimbursed at the same rate as in-person care, which will ensure continued investment in telehealth technologies. See our letter to learn more about telehealth coverage and payment parity.
COALITION MEMBERS
PATIENT STORIES
- La Rabida Children’s Hospital
Therapy Kits for Young Patients Serve via Telehealth - AMITA Health
Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital Providing Hope and Help to the Community During the Pandemic - AIDS Foundation Chicago
How telehealth services have made it easier for Milani to attend therapy - AIDS Foundation Chicago
How Telehealth Services have Provided Relief for Jo
HEAR FROM THE COALITION
- Sinai Chicago
Vote YES for Telehealth HB 3498
NEWS COVERAGE
- Illinois.gov
State of Illinois Distributes Over 1,100 Connectivity and Assistive Devices to Keep Older Illinoisans Connected During COVID-19 - Chicago Tribune
Editorial: Those rules that got waived for the pandemic? Let’s get rid of them - The Denver Channel
Telehealth appointment saves man’s life - UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Behavioral Health
UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Offers Innovative Approach to Patient Care by Launching Telehealth Intensive Outpatient Addiction and Behavioral Health Services for the First Time During the COVID-19 Pandemic - Herald & Review
Social distancing challenges prompt expansion of telehealth in Central Illinois hospitals - The Pantagraph
Illinois lawmakers back bill aimed at protecting pandemic-era telehealth access - mHealthIntelligence
Chicago Hospital Uses Telehealth to Manage DBS Treatment at Home - National Law Review
Illinois Coalition Backs Telehealth Bill Supporting Payment Parity Beyond COVID-19 Pandemic - Peoria Public Radio
A Year Into COVID-19, Use Of Telehealth Options Flourishing - News-Gazette
Pandemic Leaving a Lasting Mark on Health Care - HealthLeaders Media
Illinois Telehealth Providers Push for Permanent Access - mHealthIntelligence
Coalition Backs Illinois Telehealth Bill Supporting Payment Parity - Illinois Country Living
“Only a Call Away: Telemedicine Changes Office Visits” - Public News Service
New IL Coalition Pushes Bills to Protect Telehealth - ABC News
Illinois Bill Would Ensure Access to Telehealth After Pandemic - Crain’s Chicago Business Health Pulse (subscription required)
Illinois Bill Would Make Telehealth Payment Parity Permanent - Health News Illinois
Conroy, Coalition Looks to Expand Telehealth Services - PR Newswire
OSF HealthCare Helping Rural Hospitals Adopt Telehealth Solutions - Crain’s Chicago Business Health Pulse (subscription required)
Coalition Wants Illinois Telehealth Rules Loosened Permanently - Health News Illinois
Healthcare Coalition Calls on Lawmakers to Protect Telehealth Expansion - HealthLeaders Media
Illinois Lawmakers Pressed to Protect Telehealth - Jacksonville Journal Courier & The Edwardsville Intelligencer
State coalition urges telehealth protection - mHealth Intelligence
Illinois Coalition Urges Lawmakers to Enact Telehealth Payment Parity - The Center Square
Coalition Wants to Make Telehealth a Permanent Option in Illinois - Chicago Sun-Times
Video Visits, Drive-up Services, Mobile Apps: The New Normal of Seeing a Doctor - Chicago Tribune (subscription required)
Getting Used to Seeing Your Doctor Virtually? Telehealth Coverage Might Not Last. - WBEZ – Chicago
COVID-19 Is Driving Telehealth’s Growth. What Happens After The Pandemic? - Health News Illinois (subscription required)
Healthcare Coalition Calls on Lawmakers to Protect Telehealth Expansion - Chicago Business (subscription required)
Coalition Wants Illinois Telehealth Rules Loosened - Greenville The Advocate
Healthcare Providers, Advocates Urge Telehealth Protection