Who pays for telehealth sessions in the described program?

• A. Self-pay
• B. Medicare
• C. Insurance
• D. Charity care

Answer: (C)

Telehealth sessions in pediatric programs are usually paid through health insurance rather than out-of-pocket. In the typical setup, families’ private or public insurance (such as Medicaid/CHIP or commercial plans) covers the visit, with the patient responsible for any copay or deductible. This payer source is used because it aligns with standard care financing and supports sustainable access to care for most families. Self-pay would require paying the full amount without coverage, which is less common in programs designed to maximize access. Charity care exists for uninsured patients who can’t pay, but it’s not the regular payer for routine telehealth visits. Medicare does cover some telehealth, but its applicability to children is limited, so insurance remains the most consistent payer in pediatric telehealth.