telemedicine

State and Federal Policies to Increase Access to Medication Abortion

Posted May 23, 2022 by Rachel Schwab

A leaked draft of an impending Supreme Court decision has previewed the potential for states to prohibit and even criminalize abortion. Access to abortion has long been a story of the haves and have-nots. Medication abortion can improve access to this basic health care service, but the delivery and coverage of medication abortion are subject to numerous restrictions and requirements, creating multi-faceted obstacles for patients seeking care. CHIR’s Rachel Schwab looks at several policy actions that can reduce barriers to medication abortion.

New Georgetown Report: States’ Actions to Expand Telemedicine Access During COVID-19 and Future Policy Considerations

Posted June 28, 2021 by CHIR Faculty

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many states temporarily lowered barriers to using telemedicine for health care services. Subsequently, a number of states have taken action to make those changes permanent. In their latest report for the Commonwealth Fund, CHIR experts examine this emerging body of state law and its potential impact on the use of health care services, costs, and outcomes.

State Policy Options to Encourage Greater Use of Telehealth in State-Regulated Health Plans

Posted April 20, 2020 by CHIR Faculty

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought renewed and urgent interest in using telehealth to enable remote access to care across service areas and provider types. CHIR’s JoAnn Volk and Sabrina Corlette summarize federal legislation and guidance as well as actions state departments of insurance can take to encourage greater access to telehealth services in an article for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s State Health & Value Strategies project.

Technology’s Impact on the Way We Access Health Care Continuing to Raise Questions

Posted July 15, 2016 by CHIR Faculty

Technology is transforming how we access and receive health care through the use of telemedicine. As we previously reported, telemedicine can fill gaps in access to providers. But questions on whether and how insurers can use telemedicine to meet network adequacy standards continue to exist. CHIR’s Sandy Ahn provides a short summary of the issues.

Telemedicine: Another Tool in the Toolkit to Meet Network Adequacy Standards?

Posted April 6, 2016 by CHIR Faculty

Health plans have been increasingly narrowing their provider networks, raising concerns about gaps in access to services for consumers, particularly in areas with provider shortages. Could telemedicine be used to help fill those gaps? CHIR authors say not yet and summarizes key findings from a new report published in partnership with the Urban Institute and with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.