Telephonic counseling was very successful in increasing patient engagement during the pandemic. Audio visual counseling is excellent to use when patients have smart phones and wifi, but the majority of patient in my clinic do not have these luxury. Telephonic counseling mitigates the daily stress of Medicaid transportation services. When clients live with the reality based fear their ride will leave them at the clinic and they will be stranded, it is very difficult to successfully engage them in a counseling session. Telephonic counseling option does not discriminate against clients of lower socioeconomic status who rely on un predictable transportation or have the needed technology for face to face zoom counseling. Please consider this option of adding telephonic as I know other states continued to allow this option for clients after covid and remains successful in reaching people who otherwise wouldn't have easy access to their counselors.