50 states, not quite 50 updated telehealth laws: 5 things to know

Julie Spitzer -

The Center for Connect Health Policy, the federally designated national telehealth policy resource center, published a recap of 2017's state telehealth legislative actions.  

Here are five things to know.

1. All but 16 states updated their telehealth laws in 2017, effective either this year, in 2018 or in 2019.

2. Among the 34 states that updated their laws, including Washington D.C., 62 legislative bills passed in 2017, up from 48 bills in 2016. 

3. Nine states implemented changes to their telehealth laws, effective Jan. 1, 2018. These states are: Arkansas; California; Colorado; Illinois; Montana; Oregon; Tennessee; Texas; and Washington.

4. Common changes focused on modifying already existing Medicaid and private payers' reimbursement laws or policies, as well as establishing board practice standards and requirements around the physician-patient relationship and prescribing.

5. Four states — Maine, Nebraska, Tennessee and Washington — enacted the interstate medical licensure compact this year.

Click here to view the full list of 2017 approved state telehealth legislation.

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