Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed legislation July 18 that will require private insurance companies in the state to cover physician appointments conducted via telemedicine, WOSU Public Media reports.
Prior to the law, some Ohio-based physicians were reluctant to incorporate telemedicine into their practices and learn how to use the equipment because there was no requirement that guaranteed insurance payments, an Ohio State Medical Association spokesperson told the publication.
While the new regulations require insurance coverage for telemedicine practiced in Ohio, the state still needs to determine how much payers will pay physicians for telemedicine-based appointments compared to in-person visits.