Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Special Statement: Utilizing telemedicine to address disparities in maternal-fetal medicine: a call to policy action

Abstract

The combination of deserts in maternal-fetal medicine coverage across the United States and the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the implementation of telemedicine programs for maternal-fetal medicine care delivery. While telemedicine-based care has the potential to facilitate timely access to maternal-fetal medicine services, which can improve maternal and neonatal outcomes, telemedicine is a relatively novel healthcare modality that needs to be implemented strategically. As with any medical service, telemedicine care requires rigorous evaluation to assess outcomes and ensure quality. Important health policy considerations including access to services and insurance coverage have significant implications for equity in the implementation of telemedicine, particularly for reproductive health care following the 2022 United States Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization that overturned the constitutional right to an abortion. Investing resources and advocating for a rigorous, widely accessible telemedicine infrastructure at this critical moment will establish an important foundation for more equitable pregnancy care. Key advocacy priorities for maternal-fetal medicine telemedicine include (1) expanding insurance coverage of telemedicine across payers and regardless of geographic location, (2) advocating for inter-state licensure parity, (3) increasing access to affordable internet and digital literacy training, and (4) ensuring access to reproductive health care, including abortion care, delivered via telemedicine.