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Trending in Telehealth: August 26 – September 17, 2024

Trending in Telehealth highlights state legislative and regulatory developments that impact the healthcare providers, telehealth and digital health companies, pharmacists, and technology companies that deliver and facilitate the delivery of virtual care.

Trending in the past week:

  • Out-of-state telehealth providers
  • Interstate compacts
  • Reimbursement requirements

A CLOSER LOOK

Proposed Legislation & Rulemaking:

  • California’s AB 2339 was approved by both chambers and sent to the governor for signature. The bill would expand the definition of “asynchronous store and forward” for the state’s Medicaid program, Medi-Cal, to include asynchronous electronic transmission initiated directly by patients, including through mobile apps. Existing law prohibits a healthcare provider from establishing a new patient relationship with a Medi-Cal beneficiary via asynchronous store and forward, audio-only, remote patient monitoring, or other virtual communication modalities, except as specified. Among those exceptions, existing law authorizes a healthcare provider to establish a new patient relationship using an audio-only synchronous interaction when the visit is related to sensitive services (e.g., mental or behavioral health, sexual and reproductive health, substance use disorder treatment, gender affirming care) and when established in accordance with Medicaid-specific requirements. AB 2339 would expand this exception to the use of asynchronous store and forward when the visit is related to sensitive services. Existing law also authorizes a healthcare provider to establish a new patient relationship using an audio-only synchronous interaction when the patient requests an audio-only modality or attests that they do not have access to video. AB 2339 would remove from that exception the option of the patient attesting that they do not have access to video, and would add a parallel exception to permit the use of an asynchronous store and forward modality when the client requests.
  • The North Dakota Board of Medicine proposed regulations that would provide exceptions to physician licensure for telehealth providers licensed in another state, including for continuation of care received outside of the state, temporary care while the patient is located within the state temporarily, preparation for a scheduled in-person visit, practitioner-to-practitioner consultations, and emergency circumstances.

Finalized Legislation & Rulemaking:

  • Delaware enacted SB 331 into law. Under the act, out-of-state practitioners who wish to prescribe controlled substances in Delaware, including those who have privilege based on a telehealth registration or compact license, must obtain a Delaware controlled substance registration.
  • Alaska enacted SB 75 into law, entering the state into the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact.
  • Alaska enacted SB 91 into law. The act updates the telehealth licensure exceptions (which currently allow physicians licensed in another state to provide telehealth services in Alaska without Alaska licensure under certain circumstances) to include exceptions for members of a physician’s multidisciplinary care team. “Multi-disciplinary care team” is defined to include nurses, advanced practice registered nurses, physician assistants, social workers, psychologists, licensed professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other provider types. The exception applies when such services provided are not reasonably available [...]

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Trending in Telehealth: July 30 – August 12, 2024

Trending in Telehealth highlights state legislative and regulatory developments that impact the healthcare providers, telehealth and digital health companies, pharmacists and technology companies that deliver and facilitate the delivery of virtual care.

Trending in the past two weeks:

  • Community health
  • Interstate compacts
  • Teledentistry

A CLOSER LOOK

Finalized Legislation & Rulemaking:

  • The Illinois governor signed into law SB 2586. While the bill imposes certain restrictions on the practice of teledentistry, it expands patient access to care in other ways, including allowing a dentist to treat a “patient of record” to provide emergent care, or conduct an initial consultation using teledentistry for the purpose of treating or assessing acute pain, infection, injury, or certain other conditions. A “patient of record” is defined as a patient for whom the patient’s most recent Illinois-licensed dentist has obtained a relevant medical and dental history and on whom the dentist has performed a physical examination within the last year; obtained relevant records that are appropriate for the type of teledentistry service being provided from an in-person examination within the previous 12 months, including a review of the patient’s most recent x-rays; or established a relationship with the patient through an exchange of protected health information for the purpose of providing emergency care, treatment, or services. The bill expands the definition of “teledentistry” to encompass diagnosis and treatment planning. The act also prohibits a teledentistry provider from requiring a patient to sign an agreement that limits in any way the patient’s ability to write a review of services received or file a complaint with a regulatory agency.
  • In New Hampshire, the governor signed into law SB 403. This bill specifies that certified community health workers are permitted to provide services through telemedicine. The state defines “telemedicine” as “the use of audio, video, or other electronic media for the purpose of optimizing individual and family health outcomes.”
  • In Ohio, SB 90 went into effect. Passed in April of this year, this bill enacts the Social Work Licensure Compact with the purpose of facilitating interstate practice of regulated social work by improving public access to competent social work services.

Why it matters:

  • States are continuing to recognize the value of teledentistry. As more states develop the role of teledentistry, many are taking measures to ensure this mode of care increases access as intended while not displacing critical in-person services. For example, the latest Illinois legislation limits the practice of teledentistry to “patients of record” but allows for the use of teledentistry to provide emergent care.
  • State legislatures are recognizing the utility of virtual care delivery. In the past two weeks, we saw this through New Hampshire’s allowing community health workers to practice via telehealth, broadening the types of providers permitted to do so.
  • Interstate compacts are becoming increasingly popular alongside the adoption of telehealth. The pandemic witnessed a rise of multijurisdictional behavioral health practices which have proved to be enduring. Such multistate compacts have great [...]

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Trending in Telehealth: June 25 – July 1, 2024

Trending in Telehealth highlights state legislative and regulatory developments that impact the healthcare providers, telehealth and digital health companies, pharmacists and technology companies that deliver and facilitate the delivery of virtual care.

Trending in the past week:

  • Interstate compacts
  • Medicaid reimbursement
  • Teledentistry
  • Professional standards
  • Behavioral and mental health

A CLOSER LOOK

Finalized Legislation & Rulemaking:

  • Rhode Island entered into the following compacts:
    • Social Work Licensure Compact (SB 2184)
    • Counseling Compact (SB 2183)
    • Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (SB 2173)
    • Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact (SB 2623)
  • Louisiana enacted HB 888 which enters the state into the Social Work Licensure Compact.
  • In New Hampshire, the governor signed SB 411 which requires coverage of behavioral health or mental health crisis assessments, including both in-person and telehealth services for children and youth 21 years of age and younger.
  • In Illinois, the governor signed SB 1 which creates the Department of Early Childhood and transfers to it certain rights, powers, duties and functions currently exercised by various state agencies. The bill makes for provision of certain programs that have the ability to utilize telehealth as an option.
  • Ohio adopted a final rule that provides guidance from the Chemical Dependency Professional Board regarding the ethics and professional conduct of practice for certificate holders and licensees when using telehealth.

Legislation & Rulemaking Activity in Proposal Phase: 17

Highlights:

  • The Ohio Senate passed SB 211 that would enroll the state in the Dietitian Licensure Compact.
  • The Pennsylvania Senate passed SB 739 which would amend Title 40 (Insurance) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to provide for telemedicine. This bill updates definitions related to telemedicine and requirements for health insurance and Medicaid coverage of telemedicine services.
  • The lower chamber in Pennsylvania passed HB 2268 which defines telehealth for speech language pathology and requires coverage by payors.
  • The upper chamber in Pennsylvania passed SB 913 which would require parental consent for virtual mental health services provided by a school entity.
  • The Delaware House passed SB 301 which would require public universities to provide access to medication to terminate pregnancy and emergency contraception, including requirements for accommodating a student’s request for a telehealth appointment if the student health center is not equipped or staffed to provide the medication.
  • In Puerto Rico, the Senate passed PS 1136 which would establish the Dental Examining Board of Dentists, Hygienists, Dental Assistants, Dental Technicians or Technologists and, among other things, develop a framework for teledentistry. The bill includes items on consent, patient information protection, definitions and other items related to teledentistry.
  • Mississippi published a proposed rule that amends the Department of Mental Health’s rules concerning assessments for persons receiving mental health services and/or substance use services to allow initial and subsequent visits to be provided [...]

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Trending in Telehealth: June 18 – 24, 2024

Trending in Telehealth highlights state legislative and regulatory developments that impact the healthcare providers, telehealth and digital health companies, pharmacists and technology companies that deliver and facilitate the delivery of virtual care.

Trending in the past week:

  • Interstate compacts
  • Professional standards

A CLOSER LOOK

Finalized Legislation & Rulemaking:

  • Arizona enacted SB 1036, entering into the Social Work Compact. Arizona is the 19th state to enact this compact.
  • Arizona also signed SB 1267 into law, which revises the definition of “general supervision” to include supervision through telehealth for physical therapy services provided by physical therapist assistants.
  • In Louisiana, the governor signed HB 896, the Louisiana Remote Patient Monitoring Program Law, which establishes a patient monitoring program including definitions, eligibility, and reimbursement requirements under Medicaid. It also addresses equipment and network requirements and availability, and is aimed at patients with costly, chronic illnesses. The act goes into effect August 1,
  • Nevada adopted a final rule that revises social work regulations, and now clearly states that licensed social workers are not allowed to provide telehealth services to a client outside of Nevada, unless authorized under that state’s laws.
  • Ohio partially adopted a rule regulating the provision of personal care activities, which includes documentation requirements when the care is provided by telehealth.

Legislation & Rulemaking Activity in Proposal Phase:

Highlights:

  • New Hampshire passed to enter into the Social Work Compact. The bill heads to the governor’s desk.
  • Nevada proposed a rule that would revise optometry regulations and what is required of an optometrist before providing optometry services via telehealth, such as reviewing the patient’s chart and, if prescribing ophthalmic lenses, performing a manifest refraction.
  • Although not a formal rule, the Washington Insurance Commissioner is seeking feedback on amending telehealth-related rules. Specifically, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) is considering consolidating healthcare regulations be consistent with state and federal changes. This would include amending definitions related to “established relationship” as it applies to audio-only telemedicine services. Interested parties can reach out to the OIC.

Why it matters:

  • Interstate compacts continue to grow. As we’ve seen consistently, states continue to join interstate compacts. This week, Arizona became the 19th state to enact the Social Work Compact, which New Hampshire introduced legislation to enroll into. Three other states have also introduced or fully enacted legislation to enroll in the Social Work Compact this year so far.
  • States are expanding the use of technology related to telehealth. Multiple states have legislation and regulations that account for difference in documentation when using telehealth or other technology, versus traditional in-person care. This week, Nevada a proposed rule that establishes standards of care specifically for providing optometry services via telehealth, and Ohio partially adopted a rule which factors in the automatic record creation of certain technologies. This push to incorporate technology is also evident in Louisiana’s passing of the Remote Patient Monitoring [...]

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Trending in Telehealth: June 11 – 17, 2024

Trending in Telehealth highlights state legislative and regulatory developments that impact the healthcare providers, telehealth and digital health companies, pharmacists and technology companies that deliver and facilitate the delivery of virtual care.

Trending in the past week:

  • Interstate compacts
  • Professional standards

A CLOSER LOOK

Finalized Legislation & Rulemaking:

  • In Florida, the governor signed H 7021, which revises substance abuse and mental health laws. This change allows for an individual to receive treatment via telehealth when a law enforcement officer determines involuntary examination is warranted.
  • Colorado enacted SB 24-141, which allows healthcare regulating bodies to create a telehealth registration process for out-of-state providers. A regulator must create the registration process, but an applicant is eligible for registration if the applicant (i) possesses an unencumbered out-of-state credential issued by another state that has educational and supervisory standards equivalent or exceeding Colorado’s standards or maintains the interstate compact license, (ii) has an agent of service in Colorado, (iii) has not been subject to disciplinary action in the last 5 years, and (iv) passes a jurisprudence examination.

Legislation & Rulemaking Activity in Proposal Phase:

Highlights:

  • Rhode Island had a very active week passing compact-related bills. If signed by the Governor, Rhode Island will be enrolled in the:
    • Social Work Licensure Compact (SB 2184)
    • Counseling Compact (SB 2183)
    • Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (SB 2173)
    • Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact (SB 2623)
  • The Ohio Senate also passed SB 28 that would enroll the state in the PA Licensure Compact.
  • Arizona bill SB 1036 would enact the Social Work Compact; it heads to the Governor’s desk.
  • Arizona also passed SB 1267 in both houses that would revise supervision requirements for physical therapy assistants, allowing for supervision via telehealth.
  • The Delaware Senate passed SB 301, which would require public universities to provide access to medication to terminate pregnancy and emergency contraception, including requirements for accommodating a student’s request for a telehealth appointment if the student health center is not equipped or staffed to provide the medication.

Why it matters:

  • Interstate compacts continue to grow. Although this week was relatively slow for telehealth-related legislation and rulemaking, interstate compact enrollments were the exception. States continue to pass compact-related legislation, with Rhode Island leading the charge this week with four bills passing both houses. Additionally, as we saw last week, states are also amending statutes and rules to accommodate compact providers. We see this in Colorado’s new telehealth registration under SB 24-141, the final version of which was amended from the original bill text to include compact providers.
  • Telehealth is playing a key role in program guidance. States continue to amend the rules and statutes related to various healthcare programs to account for the usage of telehealth. Ohio’s recently passed rule for homemaker services explicitly speaks to the difference in documentation [...]

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Trending in Telehealth: June 4 – 10, 2024

Trending in Telehealth highlights state legislative and regulatory developments that impact the healthcare providers, telehealth and digital health companies, pharmacists and technology companies that deliver and facilitate the delivery of virtual care.

Trending in the past week:

  • Interstate compacts
  • Reimbursement requirements
  • Professional standards

A CLOSER LOOK

Finalized Legislation & Rulemaking:

  • In Connecticut, the governor signed HB 5198, which permanently extends COVID-19 era telehealth provisions, originally set to expire at the end of this month. The bill also creates a registration requirement for mental and behavioral health providers who are providing care via telehealth from outside of the state. These providers do need to submit an application for licensure within 60 days of registration. The bill also addresses payment expectations for providers should a patient’s health insurance not cover telehealth services. Certain provisions went into effect immediately upon the governor’s signature, while others go into effect on July 1, 2024, after the existing provision expires.
  • Colorado enacted HB 24-1045, which addresses updates to treatment for substance use disorders generally and requires payment parity for telemedicine care of substance use under the state’s Medicaid program. This takes effect 90 days following the final adjournment of the state congress. Colorado also enacted SB 24-034, which expands school-based healthcare, allowing services to be provided via telehealth.
  • Illinois amended the Illinois Public Aid Code, through SB 3268, to include funding for the expansion of telehealth services in critical access hospitals with potential funding coming from the Department of Health Services (DHS) to support expansion. This also includes an amendment which states that beginning January 1, 2025, DHS will pay negotiated, agreed upon administrative fees associated with implementing telehealth services for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities receiving Community Integrated Living Arrangement residential services.
  • Michigan enacted several telehealth related bills, all taking effect 90 days following the end of the congressional session:
    • HB 4131 :This bill updates the state’s private payor laws and requires, among other things, that there be payment parity and that health plans not limit telehealth-delivered services to only be provided via a third-party entity.
    • HB 4580: This bill will ensure coverage parity through Medicaid for telehealth services.
    • HB 4213: This bill will, among other things, require coverage of telehealth in the Medicaid program, including specifically allowing for audio-only and telehealth to be an eligible encounter for federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and rural health clinics (RHCs).
    • HB 4579: This bill requires that all health plans cover telehealth services at the same rate as in-person care.
  • Nebraska’s enrollment in the Dietician Licensure and Physician Assistant Compacts took effect under LB 1215.
  • West Virginia finalized a rule that would expand the definition of Occupational Therapist and Occupational Therapist Assistant, to include those enrolled in the Occupational Therapist Compact.
  • Wyoming revised rules promulgated by the Medical [...]

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Trending in Telehealth: May 28 – June 3, 2024

Trending in Telehealth highlights state legislative and regulatory developments that impact the healthcare providers, telehealth and digital health companies, pharmacists and technology companies that deliver and facilitate the delivery of virtual care.

Trending in the past week:

  • Interstate compacts
  • Reimbursement requirements
  • Professional standards

A CLOSER LOOK

Finalized Legislation & Rulemaking:

  • In Colorado, SB 24-168 was signed by the governor, requiring reimbursement for remote monitoring for outpatient services for certain Medicaid members. This bill also creates a grant program to provide grants to outpatient healthcare facilities that are in rural areas to assist with the cost of providing telehealth remote monitoring, recognizing the cost to set up these programs. These parameters go into effect July 1, 2025. This bill also requires that the State cover continuous glucose monitors for Medicaid members.
  • Florida enacted HB 855, which addresses teledentistry treatment, specifically requiring a disclaimer to accompany dental care provided via telehealth that an in-person visit is recommended prior to telehealth treatment. The bill goes into effect July 1, 2024.
  • Mississippi finalized a rule that removed restrictions for telehealth visits with an evaluation & management code of level IV or V to be reimbursable by the state’s Medicaid program.
  • Tennessee enacted several telehealth related bills:
    • HB 2857: In the realm of general healthcare insurance statutes, the bill revises the definition of “provider-based telemedicine” in Tenn. Code Ann. § 56-7-1003 to remove the requirement that the patient has already established the provider-patient relationship via an in-person visit within 16 months prior to the telehealth visit. An in-person visit is still required, however it does not need to be within that 16-month lookback period. This bill took effect on May 28, 2024.
    • HB 2318: This bill allows a physician assistant who operates solely via telehealth to arrange for the required review of the physician assistant’s charts by a collaborating physician or any required visit by a collaborating physician to any remote site to be completed via HIPAA-compliant electronic means, rather than at the site of the clinic. The bill also removes telehealth as an option. This bill went into effect on May 28, 2024.
    • HB 2147: The Tennessee Medicaid Program, TennCare, is now required to cover complex rehabilitation visits that are conducted via telehealth. This goes into effect on July 1, 2024.
    • HB 2808: Tennessee now requires that healthcare services delivered to inmates for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment can be provided via telemedicine, if requested and associated payment through various state programs, including TennCare, to cover treatment. This bill goes into effect on July 1, 2024.
  • Vermont enacted a law through H 861 that requires parity for healthcare services provided via telemedicine, broadly applicable to healthcare insurance plans. This bill goes into effect on January 1, 2025.
  • Several states enacted compact-related legislation:



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Trending in Telehealth: May 21 – May 27, 2024

Trending in Telehealth highlights state legislative and regulatory developments that impact the healthcare providers, telehealth and digital health companies, pharmacists and technology companies that deliver and facilitate the delivery of virtual care.

Trending in the past week:

  • Professional standards
  • Reimbursement requirements
  • Interstate compacts

A CLOSER LOOK

Finalized Legislation & Rulemaking

  • Connecticut enacted HB 5197, which enacts the Social Work Licensure Compact.
  • South Carolina enacted H 5183, which adds certain nursing tasks to the representative list of nursing tasks that may be delegated by a physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse to unlicensed assistive personnel, including performing nonclinical tasks via telemedicine.
  • South Carolina also enacted S 610, which enacts the Counseling Compact.
  • The Wisconsin Psychology Examining Board amended its rules to bring them into alignment with the state’s establishment as a member of the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact. Specifically, this adopted rule provides that the standards of practice and professional conduct apply to both telehealth and telepsychology services.

Legislation & Rulemaking Activity in Proposal Phase

Highlights:

  • In California, AB 2339 passed the first chamber. This bill would expand existing Medi-Cal definitions and exceptions that currently restrict the establishment of new patient relationships via telehealth. Specifically, this bill permits the use of asynchronous telehealth modalities to establish a new patient relationship when related to sensitive services or when requested by patient. For purposes of Medi-Cal, this bill expands the definition of “asynchronous store and forward” to include asynchronous electronic transmission initiated directly by patients, including through mobile telephone applications.
  • In Illinois, HB 5087 passed the second chamber. This bill would amend the Illinois Physical Therapy Act to provide that physical therapy through telehealth services may be used to address access issues to care, enhance care delivery or increase the physical therapist’s ability to assess and direct the patient’s performance in the patient’s own environment. This bill also provides that a physical therapist or a physical therapist assistant working under the general supervision of a physical therapist may provide physical therapy through telehealth services, subject to certain restrictions.
  • In Illinois, SB 2586 also passed the second chamber. This bill would amend the Illinois Dental Practice Act to include in the definition of teledentistry patient diagnosis and treatment planning services. This bill also provides practice standards by which a dentist may practice teledentistry, including that a dentist may only practice or utilize teledentistry on a patient of record and requires the dentist to obtain informed consent from the patient prior to rendering teledentistry services.
  • In Ohio, SB 95 passed the first chamber. This bill would permit remote dispensing pharmacies to dispense drugs, provide patient counseling and other pharmacist care through a telepharmacy system. This bill also specifies the requirements for a pharmacy to be eligible to operate as a remote dispensing pharmacy.
  • In Pennsylvania, SB 739 passed the first chamber. This [...]

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Trending in Telehealth: May 7 – May 13, 2024

Trending in Telehealth highlights state legislative and regulatory developments that impact the healthcare providers, telehealth and digital health companies, pharmacists and technology companies that deliver and facilitate the delivery of virtual care.

Trending in the past week:

  • Interstate compacts
  • Reimbursement requirements
  • Professional standards

A CLOSER LOOK

Finalized Legislation & Rulemaking

  • Mississippi enacted legislation, HB 764, which permits the State Board of Health to promulgate rules and regulations, and to collect data and information on the delivery of telemedicine services and the use of electronic records for the delivery of telemedicine services.
  • Alabama enacted legislation, SB 208, which adopts the Social Worker Licensure Compact.
  • The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation adopted a rule for speech-language pathologists and audiologists confirming that direct and indirect supervision may be performed through tele-supervision and that in-person supervision is not required. This rule also allows a licensee providing telehealth services to provide proof of licensure to a requestor through the department’s online license search.

Legislation & Rulemaking Activity in Proposal Phase

Highlights:

  • In Colorado, SB 24-141 passed two chambers. If enacted, all healthcare providers who possess a license, certificate, registration or other approval as a healthcare provider in another state may provide healthcare services through telehealth to patients located in Colorado if the provider registers with the appropriate Colorado regulatory agency.
  • In Colorado, SB 24-168 passed two chambers. This bill requires the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to provide reimbursement for the use of telehealth remote monitoring for outpatient services for certain Medicaid members.
  • In Minnesota, HF 4247 passed two chambers, which would allow transfer care specialists and veterinarians to provide “direct supervision” via telephone.
  • In South Carolina, H 5183 passed two chambers. This bill would allow for the delegation of nursing tasks, including the performance of nonclinical tasks via telemedicine.
  • In Tennessee, SB 2368 passed two chambers. If enacted, this bill would require that any policy, certificate or agreement for health insurance coverage under TennCare must include coverage for telehealth visits for complex rehabilitation technology.
  • Connecticut HB 5198 passed the second chamber. If enacted, this bill would make permanent certain temporary expanded requirements for telehealth services.
  • Several states saw activity related to interstate compacts.
    • Social Worker Licensure Compact
      • In Connecticut, HB 5197 passed two chambers.
      • In New Hampshire, SB 318 passed one chamber.
      • In Tennessee, SB 2134 passed two chambers.
    • In Connecticut, HB 5058 passed two chambers, which would enact the Nurse Licensure Compact.
    • In Alabama, SB 207 passed two chambers, which would enact the Dietician Licensure Compact.
    • In South Carolina, S 610 passed two chambers, which would enact the Counseling Compact.

Why it matters:

  • States continue to increase activity surrounding licensure compacts for [...]

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Trending in Telehealth: April 30 – May 6, 2024

Trending in Telehealth highlights state legislative and regulatory developments that impact the healthcare providers, telehealth and digital health companies, pharmacists and technology companies that deliver and facilitate the delivery of virtual care.

Trending in the past week:

  • Interstate compacts
  • Professional standards
  • Reimbursement requirements

A CLOSER LOOK

Finalized Legislation & Rulemaking

  • Iowa enacted HF 2402, which requires the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services to review and update its administrative rules regarding psychiatric medical institutions for children (PMICs), including the review of rules related to the use of telehealth services to conduct post-restraint and seclusion assessments.
  • Iowa enacted HF 2512, which adopts the Social Worker Licensure Compact.

Legislation & Rulemaking Activity in Proposal Phase

Highlights:

  • In Louisiana, HB 896 passed one chamber. This bill establishes the Louisiana Remote Patient Monitoring Program Law, which allows remote patient monitoring services provided through telehealth for patients who meet certain criteria as outlined in the bill.
  • In Connecticut, HB 5198 passed one chamber. If enacted, this bill would make permanent certain temporary expanded requirements for telehealth services. These expanded provisions include the following: allows authorized telehealth providers to use audio-only telephone to provide services, allows authorized providers to provide telehealth services from any location to patients at any location, prohibits providers from charging uninsured patients more than the Medicare reimbursement rate for telehealth services, and prohibits health carriers from reducing the amount of reimbursement they pay to telehealth providers for covered services provided through telehealth.
  • In Colorado, HB 24-1045 passed the second chamber. This bill adds substance use disorder treatment to the list of healthcare services required to be reimbursed at the same rate for telemedicine as comparable in-person services.
  • In Colorado, SB 24-141 passed one chamber. If enacted, this bill would allow a licensed out-of-state healthcare provider to provide telehealth services to patients located in Colorado if the provider registered with the appropriate regulator in Colorado.
  • In Hawaii, HCR 125 passed one chamber, which requests the establishment of a telehealth working group to examine the impact of widespread telehealth adoption during the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify public policy initiatives at the federal and state level to optimize telehealth utilization as the state transitions out.
  • Several states saw activity related to interstate compacts.
    • Michigan HB 4169 passed one chamber, which would enact the occupational therapy licensure compact.
    • In South Carolina, S 610 passed two chambers, which would enact the professional counseling compact.
    • In Alabama, SB 208 passed two chambers, which would enact the Social Worker Compact.
  • In Nevada, the Board of Dental Examiners published a proposed rule that expands requirements related to teledentistry. This rule specifies the circumstances under which a licensed provider may provide teledentistry services, including issuing prescriptions.
  • In Kansas, the Board of Pharmacy proposed a rule that sets forth requirements to establish a telepharmacy outlet, as well as requirements for the personnel who would staff the telepharmacy outlet. This rule [...]

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