Advocates for Coverage of Tele-Therapy

It's time for action. Let's call our representatives.

Between June 15th through the end of the week, we are calling for everyone to reach out to their representatives and let them know we need legislation that supports comprehensive telehealth coverage for everyone in PA.


Click here to look up your PA State Representatives.


You can use this script to call your representatives:

“Hello. My name is _________, and my zipcode is _______. I am reaching out to let Senator/Representative ____ know how important it is that the people of Pennsylvania are able to access telehealth services. Telehealth services are often as effective as in person care but for lower costs. Telehealth services also help people get access to care who might not be able to otherwise. Because of the pandemic, the need for access to telehealthcare is higher than ever. Because of this, it is important that you pass legislation that includes:

1. A requirement for private payers to cover telehealth services (not limited to specific third-party providers)

2. A mandate that Medicaid and private payers pay the same amount for telehealth services as they would for in-person services

3. Removal of barriers to reimbursement for telehealth services in the Medicaid program

4. Strategies to make it easier for providers to offer services across state lines

5. Funding for programs and services to make internet access more available across PA

6. Funding for programs and services that help patients get access to equipment needed for telehealth services”



Why does access to telehealth matter?

Telehealth services are effective, cost-saving, and help create access to healthcare for people who might not be able to access it otherwise. But, telehealth in Pennsylvania is at risk. Temporary measures that expanded access to telehealth are set to expire mid-June and many Pennsylvanians may lose access to safe care in their homes.

Telehealth services are effective and cost-saving.

There have been many research studies comparing telehealth to in-person care, and these studies show that telehealth can be as effective as many in-person services, often for less money.


Telehealth services help people get access to healthcare when they couldn't normally get access.

People in rural areas who live far away from healthcare providers, people with disabilities that get in the way of transportation, or people who are low income often cannot get to the doctor's or therapist's office. Telehealth helps these and other groups access needed care.


The need for telehealthcare, especially tele-mental healthcare, is higher than ever.

Pandemics can harm mental health by creating greater isolation, anxiety, and depression. Healthcare workers are at greater risk for burnout. Telehealth helps people get access to needed care while they can also stay home and reduce the spread of infection.


Current legislation gets in the way of healthcare providers being able to offer telehealth services.

Unlike several other state, PA does not have needed policies to help ensure that healthcare providers get paid for telehealth services. While access to telehealth has increased because of the pandemic, this access is temporary and will go away soon if legislators don't pass additional laws.


The time to act is now. If our legislatures do not pass laws to ensure access to telehealth continues, we may lose this needed resource soon.



I want to take more actions! What else can I do?

To help with this cause, try out any or all of the actions below to help ensure everyone in PA has access to telehealth services.


Action 2: Like the ACT Facebook page to stay up-to-date

We are learning more about this issue all the time and regularly post updates on our facebook page about what's going on. Like us to stay up-to-date about what we're doing. Click here to go to our facebook page.

Action 3: Complete a survey about your experience with telehealth

We want to know what your experience with telehealth has been like, and what it would be like if you lost access to telehealth services. Click here to fill out the survey.

Action 4: Share the telehealth experience survey with others

Knowing about people's exprience with telehealth services is important for understanding why this issue is important and helping other people know that as well. You can share the survey link with anyone who has used telehealth services during the pandemic via email, text, facebook or any other way you like. The link to the survey is here: https://forms.gle/9UCqmD1QyA17JnzZA

Action 5: Share the Advocates for Coverage of Tele-therapy Facebook page

In order for us to help make sure that laws are passed that make sure everyone has access to telehealth services, it's important that lots of people have the chance to learn about this movement and contact their representatives if they agree that this is an important issue. You can visit and share our facebook page with your friends here.

Action 6: Share this webpage

In order for us to help make sure that laws are passed that make sure everyone has access to telehealth services, it's important that lots of people have the chance to learn about this movement and contact their representatives if they agree that this is an important issue. Feel free to share the link to this webpage with anyone who might be interested in learning more. Here is the link to share: https://sites.google.com/view/advocatesfortelehealth/home

Action 7: Talk to a friend, family member, coworker, or someone else about this movement

The only way that legislation on this issue will pass is if enough people contact their representatives about this issue, but a lot of people don't realize how important telehealth access is or that we are about to lose access. Think about people you know who might be affected by this issue... and let them know why they might want to care about this issue.

I want to learn more...

That's great! Besides our Facebook page, check out these great resources to learn more about this issue: