Which State Is Taking Telehealth Seriously

As the COVID-19 pandemic comes to a close, many states are making telehealth visits more accessible by implementing payment parity. Payment parity requires that healthcare providers be reimbursed the same amount for telehealth visits as in-person visits. This is great news for patients who now have easier access to telehealth services. The four states below have updated their payment parities.

Illinois

• Illinois passed Executive Order 22-10, extending various Executive Orders due to COVID-19, including Executive Order 2020-09 (Telehealth), until April 30, 2022.

Kentucky

• Kentucky passed House Bill No. 188, which:

• Prohibits professional licensure boards from banning the delivery of telehealth services to residents of Kentucky who are temporarily located outside of Kentucky by health service providers credentialed in Kentucky;

• Prohibits professional licensure boards from banning the delivery of telehealth services to nonresidents of Kentucky who are temporarily located in Kentucky by health service providers credentialed in the person's state of residence;

• Prohibits health care providers from being required to be physically present in their credentialing state to provide telehealth services to a person who is a resident of the same state.

Utah

• Utah passed Senate Bill No. 237, establishing a State Counseling Compact that requires:

• Member states to allow a Licensed Professional Counselor to practice professional counseling in any Member State via telehealth, as long as such practice is in line with the Compact rules;

• Professional Counseling services delivered in a Member State other than the Licensee’s Home State to adhere to the laws and regulations of that state.

Washington

• Washington passed House Bill No. 1708, which forbids a hospitals from billing a facility fee if they serve as an originating site for an audio-only telehealth visit.