Washington State Launches Free Telehealth Program for COVID-19 Treatment

Building upon the federal government’s Test to Treat initiative, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) unveiled a free telehealth program to provide quick access to COVID-19 treatment. 

Previously, telehealth visits for COVID-19 treatment were only available to people with insurance whose healthcare provider offered virtual care options.

However, by expanding the Test to Treat initiative — which enables people to get tested and start treatment in one visit to a participating site — the Washington DOH plans on offering telehealth consultations at no cost and without an insurance requirement to COVID-19 patients. The program also aims to promote access to COVID-19 treatments, like Paxlovid, an oral antiviral drug.

“At DOH, we value equity and innovation, and have embraced those values throughout our COVID-19 response,” said Umair A. Shah, MD, Washington State's Secretary of Health, in a press release. “Ensuring that we can equitably connect communities with therapeutics is pivotal so that we can continue our mission of reducing unnecessary death from this disease.”

To schedule a telehealth appointment, Washington State residents can either visit the DOH website or call the DOH COVID-19 center. The service is being provided by DOH in collaboration with several partners, including Birds Eye Medical and Color Health.   

After the virtual consultation with a provider, patients prescribed the medication can pick it up at a local pharmacy or have it delivered.

“Our goal is for all eligible patients at high risk for severe disease to have equitable access to life-saving COVID-19 treatments,” said Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett, MD, a primary care pediatrician at Virginia Mason Sand Point Pediatrics and chief science officer at the Washington State DOH, in a press release. “We’re excited to make this service free to everyone with no out-of-pocket costs so that even those without insurance will be able to access antiviral medications. And by offering telehealth consultations in multiple languages, the program increases access for non-English speakers as well.”

The launch of the new program comes a few months after Massachusetts created a COVID-19 telehealth treatment program in May. The program, which was also at no cost, aims to help determine whether a patient should receive a Paxlovid subscription. Launched by the Baker-Polito Administration in collaboration with Color Health, the program is working to increase access to Paxlovid when needed to eliminate COVID-19 symptoms and improve recovery. 

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, providers have employed virtual care resources to manage the deadly coronavirus.

A study published in July concluded that the implementation of a remote patient monitoring (RPM) platform helped reduce the average length of hospitalization for COVID-19 patients. Those who participated in the RPM program were also less likely to enter the intensive care unit than those who didn't.