Telehealth services temporarily expanded during the pandemic will be permanently expanded under legislation unanimously approved by the Indiana Senate Tuesday.

As soon as COVID hit, there was a huge jump in telemedicine visits. But some of these virtual options remain out of reach for the most vulnerable populations, like seniors and rural residents.

IU Health, the state's largest hospital system, said its doctors have conducted about 80,000 telemedicine visits this year, a 10,000 percent increase since the COVID-19 virus hit the state in March.

The coronavirus pandemic has forced hospitals and doctors to move much of their work online. That shift to telehealth required big changes -- from relaxing federal regulations to getting buy-in from doctors.

In light of orders to stay at home and avoid close, prolonged contact with other people, counseling facilities have had to close their doors to in-person sessions. Which means, much like the rest of us, mental health professionals have had to adapt to continue to provide care.

Health care providers can apply for funding from a $200 million program within the recently-passed federal CARES Act. That money can be used to provide devices and internet connection to patients who need it to engage in telehealth.

In rural areas, access to mental health services can be limited, sometimes even more so for teens and children. Orleans, in southern Indiana, is using technology to help bridge this gap.

The lawsuit filed by Institute for Justice seeks to lift a ban on health care technology that allows doctors to prescribe glasses or contacts after a computer or smartphone eye test.

Many communities across the country, including in Indiana, have difficulty using the technology because of poor broadband.

The three new telehealth clinics help rural Indiana children access health care at school.