WISCONSIN — Wisconsin’s COVID-19 treatment telehealth program is coming to an end this week.
Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) reminded Wisconsinites the program will end on April 10. It was initially slated to end in 2023, but it was extended due to the success of the program and the high number of cases at the time.
Over 8,000 free consults were given to people across Wisconsin since the program started in Nov. 2022, according to DHS.
“We’re extremely proud of the success of this program, which provided free telehealth service to thousands of Wisconsinites, especially older adults and people living in rural communities,” said DHS Deputy Secretary Deb Standridge in a press release. “Through the support of federal funding, we were able to extend this program’s operations for Wisconsinites.”
Standridge said as even the program comes to an end, DHS still encourages Wisconsinites to remember that COVID-19 has not gone away. The weekly Respiratory Virus Surveillance Report shows COVID-19 levels to be low and transmission as decreasing.
DHS said patients who previously utilized the treatment telehealth program with Color Health accounts will still be able to view after-visit summaries online.
There are a number of other options available for patients seeking COVID-19 care.
DHS said that people can still access COVID-19 antiviral treatments through their health care provider, community clinic or pharmacy, though cost will vary.
The organization said those with no health insurance or those whose health insurance may not cover COVID-19 care can seek treatment through ForwardHealth free or low-cost health clinics. Patients who have Medicare, Medicaid or those who are uninsured that are prescribed a COVID-19 therapeutic can receive treatment for free through the Patient Assistant Program (PAP) through Dec. 31, 2024.
For more information on COVID-19 treatments, click here.