Policy Resolution TST-15-12

Reducing Unnecessary Barriers in Telehealth Reimbursement
Telecommunications, Science, and Technology (TST) Committee

WHEREAS, health innovations such as telehealth, or healthcare coupled with telecommunications technology, are beneficial to all communities, and particularly communities of color;

WHEREAS, telehealth can serve as a powerful tool in eliminating health disparities and increase access to much needed, and in some instances, scarce health care providers;

WHEREAS, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) has supported telehealth as an innovation to medicine and society and encouraged its members to collaborate with the health care community, non-profit organizations, and the private sector to create and/or support telehealth legislation in resolution TST-13-03 “SUPPORTING TELEHEALTH AS AN INNOVATION TO MEDICINE AND SOCIETY”;

WHEREAS, while the option of telehealth is available for patients and healthcare providers, restrictions coupled with a lack of reimbursement requirements for telehealth-provided services creates a major hindrance to widespread telehealth adoption because (1) healthcare providers are unsure of how they will be compensated for providing services enhanced by telehealth, and (2) many patients are unable to pay for full healthcare expenses out-of-pocket;

WHEREAS, to date 46 state Medicaid programs cover and reimburse for some type of telehealth provided service; however, telehealth policies in each state vary according to service coverage, distance requirements, eligible patient populations and health care providers, and authorized technologies; and

WHEREAS, only two states have adopted telehealth parity laws that require state employee health insurance plans to reimburse for telehealth-provided services comparable to that of in-person services.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) recognizes that barriers to telehealth reimbursement exist and should be closely examined by state legislators and their state regulatory bodies to eliminate unnecessary barriers where possible while protecting patient safety, quality, and privacy;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that NBCSL recognizes telehealth and the role it can provide in numerous circumstances, but also recognizes the need to protect patient privacy and the need for in-person examinations when appropriate;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that NBCSL encourages its members and state legislatures to explore reimbursement requirements for telehealth-provided services for all Medicaid and state employee health plans; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, members of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, and other federal and state government officials as appropriate including the Federal Communications Commission, the Center of Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, and the Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office.

  • SPONSOR: Representative Mia Jones (FL)
  • Committee of Jurisdiction: Telecommunications, Science, and Technology Policy Committee
  • Certified by Committee Chair: Delegate Michael Vaughn (MD)
  • Ratified in Plenary Session: Ratification Date is December 12, 2014
  • Ratification is certified by: Representative Joe Armstrong (TN), President