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On July 13, 2021, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) unveiled a proposal to temporarily extend Medicare coverage for particular telehealth services granted during the COVID-19 public health emergency (the “Pandemic”), in order to evaluate which services should be covered permanently. Through the 2022 Physician Fee Schedule (“PFS”), CMS is allowing certain services to remain on the telehealth list until the end of December 31, 2023.
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Continue Reading CMS’ Proposal to Expand Telehealth Coverage

The public health crisis (the “Pandemic”) brought more attention, and more money, to the use of digital technologies to provide remote services to millions of individuals affected by the Pandemic. The use of digital technologies to provide medical services otherwise known as “telehealth”, exploded during the Pandemic but has since then made a steady growth across the healthcare industry, with many realizing the value of using digital technology to supplement, and in some cases, replace traditional methods of medical care. While many expected the value and investment in telehealth to decline with Pandemic restrictions being lifted, a recent report from venture firm Rock Health (the “Report”), shows that digital health funding continues to break records as venture-backed companies raised $14.7 billion in the first half of the year. Rock Health’s CEO Bill Evans notes that while even he was a bit surprised by the increase, the fundamentals checked out, “we saw pace increase and size per round increase,” noted Evans.
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Continue Reading Telehealth Investment and Telehealth Utilization: Let’s Look at the Numbers

On June 23, 2021, Delaware Governor John Carney signed House Bill 160, the Telehealth Access Preservation and Modernization Act of 2021 (the “Bill” or “HB160”) which continues and enhances Delaware residents’ access to telehealth services and, through the adoption of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (the “Compact”), ensures that telehealth services can be provided through qualified medical practitioners in a streamlined and efficient pathway to licensure that, according to the Bill’s supporters, meets the health care delivery system needs of the 21st century.
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Continue Reading The “State” of Telehealth: Delaware Expands Access to Telehealth

On June 1, 2021, the Oregon Governor, Kate Brown, signed House Bill 2508A (“HB2508A” or the “Bill”) which, among other things, requires parity for healthcare services delivered through telehealth, upon satisfaction of certain criteria. The Bill expands coverage of and reimbursement for telehealth services in Oregon, promoting equitable and safe access to care.…
Continue Reading The “State” of Telehealth: Oregon Looks to Provide Parity for Telehealth

On May 30, 2021, Illinois lawmakers passed House Bill 3308 (“HB3308” or the “Bill”) aimed at expanding the use of telehealth services in the state. The Bill would increase access and coverage to telehealth by establishing payment parity for behavioral health and substance abuse services and by establishing a panel to study payment parity for all telehealth services.…
Continue Reading The “State” of Telehealth: Illinois Moves to Expand Telehealth Coverage

On May 13, 2021, MITRE Corporation, a non-profit that provides engineering and technical guidance for the federal government, published a long-awaited report proposing a National Strategy for Digital Health (the “Report”).  The proposed strategy provides a framework and prescribes tangible action items in order to revolutionize the American healthcare system through digital tools and technology.  The underlying premise is that harnessing the power of research, data, and innovation can further shared goals and accomplish priority outcomes to transform not only the digital plane of the healthcare system, but every facet of modern American healthcare.…
Continue Reading MITRE Corporation Outlines a Proposal for a Digital Health Revolution in New Report

In our January 26, 2021 blog post “Permanency for Out of State Telehealth Services? Arizona Seeks to Make Permanent Changes to Licensure Requirements”, we discussed Arizona’s push to make permanent resolutions to the temporary telehealth exceptions issued in connection with the public health emergency (the “Pandemic”). In that article, we also noted that Arizona Governor, Doug Ducey, as part of his “State of the State” address, proposed permanent changes to healthcare access which would allow Arizona residents to access healthcare providers through the use of telemedicine.  As of May 5th, we have begun to see the first steps in implementing those changes.…
Continue Reading The “State” of Telehealth: Arizona (Part 2) Arizona Is All-in On Telehealth

Utah Bill Uses Telehealth to Address Mental Health

On March 2, 2021, Utah Governor, Spencer Cox, signed Senate Bill 41 (“SB41”) into law. The bill, sponsored by State Senator Luz Escamilla, allows coverage for mental health services delivered by telehealth – often referred to as “telemental health” services.  While we have seen many states move to create greater access to telehealth services in efforts to address the current public health crisis (the “Pandemic”), Utah is one of the first states to expand telehealth coverage to address the mental well-being of its citizens.  In a statement to State of Reform, Sen. Escamilla noted that “mental health is becoming a big crisis and in our state we’re seeing an increase in needs, and access has become very limited.”…
Continue Reading The “State” of Telehealth: Utah