Original Source: Center for Connected Health Policy
- Provider licensure/scope of practice
- Facility licensing requirements
- Equipment/training
- Privacy/confidentiality & medical records
- Patient consent
- Billing and third-party payments
- Liability Coverage
NIH Physical Therapist Grant
According to an article in mHealth Intelligence, the Center for Neurorehabilitation at Boston University is using a $3.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to continue studies on the use of an mHealth app in the improvement of care management for patients with Parkinson’s disease. The study is based on research published by the Center in the February 2019 issue of the Journal Physical Therapy, which showed statistically significant improvements in overall mobility scores among patients using the app, compared to those without the intervention. The continuing research would further determine the effectiveness of the intervention by comparing increases in real-world walking activities.
HR 5763 (Rep. Gianforte) – Requires the Secretary to develop a plan (updated every two years) for the adoption, advancement and coordination of telehealth by Federal agencies. The Secretary should also make recommendations to improve access to telehealth, coordination of telehealth and health outcomes. See bill text for specific requirements of the recommendations and other agencies the Secretary would be required to consult with. Other requirements would include standardizing the federal grant processes and data reporting, providing assistance to regional and national entities to enable greater use of telehealth, providing federal governance and oversight of federal expenditures on telehealth and broadband, and ensuring that there is information sharing and collaboration across federal agencies. HR 5763 also requires a public comment period for the recommendations, and makes appropriations for telehealth-related grants and activities. (Status: 2/5/20: Introduced and referred to House Committee on Energy and Commerce)
Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019
S 785 (Sen. Tester) – Includes various provisions for reporting on the use of telehealth and telemedicine in mental health services, including recommendations for how to improve such services when delivered to veteran populations. (Status: 1/29/20: Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably)
Enhance Access to Support Essential (EASE) Behavioral Health Services Act
HR 5473 (Rep. Bilirakis) – Provides an exception from Medicare’s geographic restrictions for telehealth services that are behavioral health services furnished on or after July 1, 2020 to eligible telehealth individuals, including initial patient evaluations, follow up medical management and behavioral health services. It also amends the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act which requires the Secretary to issue guidance to states regarding federal reimbursement for furnishing services and treatment for substance use disorders under Medicaid using telehealth, to also include guidance on mental health disorders and behavioral health disorders. (Status: 12/18/19: Referred to Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Committee on Ways and Means)
Medicare-X Choice Act of 2019
HR 2000 (Rep. Delgado) – Requires the Secretary to establish a coordinated and low-cost health plan known as the ‘Medicare Exchange Health Plan.’ Individuals would be eligible for the plan if they qualify within section 1312 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and are not eligible for benefits under the Medicare Program under title XVIII. The Secretary may utilize innovative payment mechanisms and policies to determine payments for items and services under the health plan, including telehealth and remote patient monitoring. The Secretary must also ensure the integration of telehealth tools that increase patient access to medical care, particularly in remote or underserved areas if such integration would reduce spending without reducing quality of care or improve the quality of care without increasing spending. (Status: 12/10/19: Subcommittee on Health Hearing Held)
SB 1892 – Alters reimbursement requirements for telehealth delivered services, including requiring reimbursement of a facility fee. It also requires coverage of remote patient monitoring if covered by Medicare. (Status: 1/30/20: Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Commerce and Labor Committee)
NEW MEXICO
SB 212 – Defines the “originating site” of teledentistry as the site where the dentist provides the service. It also allows for asynchronous communication if paired with live video. (Status: 1/29/20: Introduced)
CALIFORNIA
AB 2007 – Provides that an FQHC or RHC “visit” includes an encounter between an FQHC or RHC patient and a health care provider using telehealth by synchronous real time or asynchronous store-and-forward. The bill would clarify, for purposes of an FQHC or RHC visit, that face-to-face contact between a health care provider and a patient is not required for an FQHC or RHC to bill for telehealth by synchronous real time or asynchronous store-and-forward if specified requirements are met. (Status: 1/28/20: Introduced)
MARYLAND
SB 502 – Requires the Maryland Medical Assistance Program to provide mental health services appropriately delivered through telehealth to patients in their home. Also changes the definition of telehealth for insurers to include the delivery of mental health care services to the patient in their home setting. (Status: 1/31/20: Read first time, Hearing scheduled for 2/19/20)
WASHINGTON
HB 2770 – Requires health plans, including Medicaid managed care plans, to reimburse a provider for health care services provided through telemedicine at the same rate as if the service was provided in-person by the provider. Permits hospitals, hospital systems, telemedicine companies, and provider groups consisting of eleven or more providers to negotiate a reimbursement rate for telemedicine services that differs from the reimbursement rate for in-person services. Directs the Collaborative for the Advancement of Telemedicine to study store-and-forward technology to examine utilization, whether it should be paid for at parity with in-person services, the potential for it to improve rural health outcomes in Washington state, and ocular services. (Status: 1/21/20: Read first time, referred to Committee on Health Care & Wellness)
MICHIGAN
HB 5413 – Adds store-and-forward to the list of eligible modalities identified in the definition of telemedicine. (Status: 1/28/20: Introduced and read first time, referred to Committee on Health Policy)