Several bills currently being considered by Congress, including to the Telehealth Enhancement Act and the Telehealth Modernization Act, seek to increase the use of telemedicine across the country.
Many states have passed or are considering complimentary legislation that would remove regulatory or financial barriers to telemedicine use. Four new state bills continue this trend:
In 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.
Indiana's Senate bill 0346 would provide Medicaid reimbursements to pharmacists who provide medication therapy management services to patients via telemedicine.
Several barriers to Medicaid reimbursement for telemedicine services in Maryland, such as limiting telemedicine use to cardiovascular or stoke patients, would be repealed with SB 198.
In New Jersey, assembly bill 2161 would allow federally qualified health centers more flexibility in contracting with mental health providers for telemedicine services.
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