Getting Beyond Parity: Telehealth as a Best Practice in Health Equity

Abstract

The global pandemic spurred a rapid uptake of telehealth for nearly all health care providers and has permanently changed how health care is delivered. At present, providers and insurers are grappling with how to balance telehealth and in person care, focusing discussions around reimbursement models and logistical considerations. In this article, the authors discuss whether telehealth can be considered as good a treatment option as in-person care, if it can be even better, and its potential to address equity in access to care. Many opportunities exist with telehealth, from expanding the provider pool for patients to reducing stigma associated with presenting for in-person care. To ensure these opportunities are realized and result in meaningful improvements in eliminating health disparities, they must be approached strategically. The authors propose several considerations for ensuring equity is at the forefront of telehealth implementation discussions and encourage providers, insurers, and advocates to be purposeful in advancing these opportunities.