Inside STAT: As insurers end pandemic-era virtual coverage, some may have to pay more for access

(ADOBE)

Oct. 1 will mark a significant change in coverage for telehealth — which became ultra-popular during the pandemic — when several private insurers will no longer fully pay for virtual visits under certain circumstances. UnitedHealthcare will terminate a benefit that fully covered patients' virtual visits with their in-network clinician for any non-Covid-19 issue. Anthem will stop waiving the cost of copays, coinsurance, and deductibles for virtual visits not related to Covid-19. Many have become reliant on virtual visits during the pandemic, especially older individuals and those with disabilities that made traveling to and from appointments difficult. "For many patients, it’s their lifeline right now — it’s the only way that they’re feeling comfortable or safe receiving care,” one expert tells STAT's Rebecca Robbins and Erin Brodwin. Read more here.