ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - With enhanced Affordable Care Act healthcare subsidies set to expire at the end of this year, many families are questioning how they will get the care they need. Some are turning to telehealth programs as an affordable alternative.

Allen Pritchard, an Albany resident, lost his job and health insurance a few months ago. He started using a telehealth program to keep his family covered.

“Having this program since losing my job to be able to afford healthcare and medicine it has been a huge relief to me and my family,” Pritchard said. “I mean I couldn’t believe how little it actually cost me at the end.”

Telehealth programs are designed to make healthcare more accessible while covering common illnesses like the flu and sinus infections. However, these programs do not cover more serious ailments or hospital visits.

Renee Dua, a medical advisor for ten-dollar telehealth, said these programs can help people who have trouble reaching a doctor.

“Those folks don’t have healthcare that’s their number one issue is they don’t have access to care they may not have any insurance they may have a very high-deductible plan they may not have the ability to take a day off to go see a doctor there may be no doctor in their community for 100 miles,” Dua said.

Pritchard said the programs have provided his family with relief during a difficult time.

“Especially with it being the holidays and SNAP benefits were up in the air for a while you know this program has made it possible for me to actually be able to take care of my family and get them the care when they need it and not have to deal with anything extra it’s honestly been a real help,” he said.

While telehealth programs may not cover everything, they can act as an affordable alternative for those who need it most as healthcare subsidies expire.

Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on Facebook and X (Twitter). For more South Georgia news, download the WALB News app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

Copyright 2025 WALB. All rights reserved.