The growing use of telemedicine across the country has prompted state legislatures to craft regulations to help govern the use of the relatively new practice.
Below are updates on 10 proposed laws that would have an effect on the practice of telemedicine in the U.S.
Alaska: The Alaska legislature has passed a bill that would allow physicians to diagnose or provide a prescription for patients either online or over the phone. The bill now goes to Gov. Sean Parnell (R) for signature.
California: Assembly bill 1771 would require payers to reimburse for telemedicine visits, including those conducted over the phone and online. The bill is currently with a subcommittee.
Florida: The Florida legislature recently ended its session without passing a much-contested telemedicine bill because lawmakers could not agree on whether out-of-state physicians should be allowed to treat Florida patients via telemedicine.
Indiana: Senate bill 0346 would provide Medicaid reimbursements to pharmacists who provide medication therapy management services to patients via telemedicine. This bill has been referred to a subcommittee.
Hawaii: Senate bill 2469 would require a service provided via telemedicine to be reimbursed at the same rate as the same service provided in person. This bill has been sent to Gov. Neil Abercrombie (D).
Maryland: Several barriers to Medicaid reimbursement for telemedicine services, such as limiting telemedicine use to cardiovascular or stoke patients, have been repealed now Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) has signed SB 198 into law.
Montana: A new law effective Jan. 1 requires insurers to cover services delivered by telemedicine if that service would have been covered during an in-person visit, at the same rate as the in-person visit.
New Hampshire: House bill 1158 would require payers issuing health plans under the state's managed care law to offer financial incentives to patients for choosing low-cost options, like telemedicine. The bill is currently being studied by lawmakers.
New Jersey: Assembly bill 2161 would allow federally qualified health centers more flexibility in contracting with mental health providers for telemedicine services. The bill has been referred to a subcommittee.
Tennessee: A proposed rule change in Tennessee would mandate in-person physician visits both precede and supplement telemedicine consults. A public hearing was held last week to gauge public sentiment.
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