Health Affairs: Telehealth And Network Adequacy: A Recipe To Advance Access?
Telehealth’s ability to address mobility, transportation, and geographic barriers has begun to transform the way individuals pursue care. Insured individuals’ access to care has historically been governed by a single tool: network adequacy standards. Authors propose that telehealth can augment network adequacy’s ability to deliver on its promise of ensuring access to care. In this article, authors summarize the advantages, and risks, of incorporating telehealth into network adequacy standards, and next steps for federal, state, and commercial policy makers seeking to eliminate barriers to addressing illness and maintaining health.