The bill requires payers to treat telehealth services as they would treat in-person care delivery. It does not require healthcare providers to offer a reason for not being able to deliver care in person, and thus needing to use telemedicine technology. Additionally, payers would not be able to charge a higher fee for use of telemedicine services or “limit telemedicine sites for which they would provide coverage.”
The House Health committee is currently considering the bill, after which it will go to the House Insurance committee. If signed into law, the legislation would take effect on Oct. 1, 2017, according to the report.
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