Originally published in the Orlando Sentinel.

It felt like a reunion, as I greeted Mrs. S through the screen — she was the first patient of my new telehealth clinic focused on Alzheimer’s care. I had first seen her in my brick-and-mortar clinic three years prior. During the intervening years, her Alzheimer’s had progressed and she had refused to leave the house for an appointment. With Medicare’s expanded telehealth coverage, we were finally able to conduct her appointment where she felt safest: at home.

Alzheimer’s is one of the biggest public health challenges of our time, with 7 million Americans currently diagnosed, and cases are expected to double by 2050. The scale of this crisis demands that we reach patients wherever they are. Telehealth has proven a game-changer in making quality care more convenient and accessible. Since 2020, Medicare’s telehealth coverage has been a lifeline for millions of seniors like Mrs. S struggling with mobility, cognitive decline, and limited access to care.

The clock is ticking to make telehealth a permanent component of our health-care infrastructure. Congress’ FY25 stopgap budget extended Medicare coverage for another six months, but this short-term fix is not enough. We should strive to understand how it can support Alzheimer’s care through the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services GUIDE model for enhanced dementia care management. Through further study, we can establish best practices for the technology, develop appropriate physician reimbursement structures, and provide families with the comprehensive support they need to navigate this challenging disease…

You can read the full Op-Ed here.