State House Passes Bills to Expand Access to Telehealth
Posted on May 13, 2020
The Michigan House of Representatives passed legislation May 13 that would expand access and improve reimbursement for telehealth services. If they become law, House Bills (HBs) 5412 through 5416 would expand opportunities for providers to receive Medicaid payment for telehealth services and remove requirements that previously limited access to care. The MHA has supported efforts to expand access to these services to help address the nation’s physician and nurse shortages and improve outcomes for patients.
HBs 5412, 5413 and 5414 would remove the requirement that providers interact with a patient in real time during a telehealth visit and would allow for the sharing of health data through a secure messaging application. HB 5415 would require the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to provide Medicaid coverage for remote patient monitoring services, and HB 5416 would require the MDHHS to provide Medicaid coverage for telehealth services when the patient received those services at home or in school.
The bipartisan package was introduced before the COVID-19 pandemic by Reps. Hank Vaupel (R-Fowlerville), Douglas Wozniak (R-Shelby Twp.), Frank Liberati (D-Allen Park), Phil Green (R-Millington) and Mary Whiteford (R-Casco Twp.). There is renewed urgency given the necessity for telehealth services during the pandemic, and the Senate is expected to work quickly to pass the bills. The MHA will keep members informed of further action on the legislation. Members with questions should contact Sean Sorenson at the MHA.
Tags: telehealth, Medicaid, Sean Sorenson, House Bills 5412 through 5416
Posted in: Issues in Healthcare, Member News, Top Issues - Healthcare