ERIC submitted comments on Ohio’s telehealth legislation, which was amended in the Ohio House Insurance Committee on June 9. The Ohio House Insurance Committee amended Ohio telehealth legislation HB 679, making several critical changes ERIC had advocated for. The amended legislation removes the requirement of:
- An in-person visit prior to telehealth use
- A once-a-year visit with the provider
- Reimbursement based upon minute per patient for telehealth services provided by phone or email
The legislation includes:
- Video or audio for real time interaction between the patient and provider
- Requiring patient consent once before billing a telehealth visit
- No mandated reimbursement amounts!
The legislation will receive a vote today or tomorrow in the House, and is expected to pass. However, the Senate will not take up the bill until after their recess; they could potentially return either in August or September. ERIC will continue working on the legislation and will coordinate with our allies in the state as the process continues. Once the Senate re-adjourns and the bill is assigned to a committee, we will have more insight into the timing of further action.
Article by James Gelfand, Senior Vice President of Health Policy