{"id":6506,"date":"2018-12-19T21:19:29","date_gmt":"2018-12-19T21:19:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tele.healthcare\/?p=6506"},"modified":"2018-12-19T21:19:29","modified_gmt":"2018-12-19T21:19:29","slug":"the-evolving-landscape-of-state-telemedicine-laws-and-policies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/drmiltie.com\/at-home-testing\/the-evolving-landscape-of-state-telemedicine-laws-and-policies\/","title":{"rendered":"The Evolving Landscape of State Telemedicine Laws and Policies"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Manatt,<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\n\tEditor\u2019s Note: As the demand for telemedicine services continues to grow, states are implementing new policies related to the payment for, and provision of, care via telemedicine modalities for all patients. State Medicaid programs, other payers and health systems across the country are increasingly relying on telemedicine technologies to address healthcare challenges, such as provider shortages, system capacity and access to care. In a new article for Inside Medical Liability<\/a>, summarized below, Manatt Health reviews the changing landscape of state telemedicine laws and policies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\tInformation in the article is based on Manatt Health\u2019s survey across 50 states and Washington, DC, of state laws and Medicaid policies related to practice standards and licensure; Medicaid coverage and reimbursement; Medicaid-eligible patient settings; Medicaid-eligible provider settings; Medicaid-eligible technologies; Medicaid service limitations; and corporate practice of medicine.1<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\tManatt\u2019s survey reveals that nearly all state Medicaid fee-for-service (FFS) programs provide reimbursement for some telemedicine services, generally expanding access to telemedicine for their Medicaid FFS beneficiaries. The survey also highlights that Medicaid FFS programs provide significantly more expansive coverage than what is available to Medicare beneficiaries. At this time,2<\/sup> Medicare FFS provides telehealth coverage only for a very limited set of services that meet strict requirements related to the technology utilized, the originating site and the provider type.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\tIn contrast, state Medicaid FFS programs offer comprehensive coverage of telemedicine, allowing a broad range of services, providers, locations and technologies that are eligible for reimbursement. Most states allow various types of providers to administer care via telemedicine, and few impose impactful restrictions on the types of services that can be provided through these modalities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\tKey Barriers and Implications<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\tDespite this notable progress, major barriers still exist in some states to the provision of telemedicine services for Medicaid FFS beneficiaries: (See Table 1 for definitions of key terms used in this section.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n