Telehealth Benefits Discontinued for Kauai Patients
Honolulu – With limited options to treat rare autoimmune diseases in Kauai, Rhian Campbell has been using Medicare’s telehealth benefits to reach rheumatologists on Oahu. However, she faced an unfortunate setback when her scheduled virtual appointment was canceled due to the expiration of these benefits.
This program came to an end after Congress did not pass the necessary legislation to extend the benefits past September 30th. “There were no warnings at all, but I know a lot of people depend on that telehealth,” Campbell expressed.
Diagnosed with recurrent polychondritis, which can cause inflammation in various parts of the body, Campbell’s condition is beginning to impact her airways and kidneys. To avoid serious complications, she needs to travel to Oahu for in-person chemotherapy every four weeks.
“You can imagine how expensive it will be, and there’s really no way around it,” Campbell shared about the costs involved. After finishing chemotherapy earlier this year, she started using telehealth to manage her long-term medications. Now, she is uncertain whether she can afford to make the routine trip to Oahu for her appointments.
“If I want to survive this, I have to go there,” Campbell stated, emphasizing the difficulty of having to decide if these appointments are financially feasible.
According to Hilton Roether from the Hawaii Healthcare Association, Campbell is one of approximately 140,000 Medicare beneficiaries who are experiencing the suspension of their telehealth services. “This will affect individuals in rural areas and neighboring islands disproportionately, especially since some of these specialists have limited availability,” he added.
Roether noted that healthcare providers are also facing challenges. “It’s not that doctors can’t provide services, but they don’t know if they’ll get paid for them,” he said. Since telehealth visits aren’t claimable during this period, Roether is hopeful that Congress will soon enact a resolution allowing for retroactive compensation.
