Individual states continue to press forward with telehealth legislation,
as evidenced by recent news out of Montana and a forthcoming effort in
Florida.
A bill introduced to Congress last month--the
Telehealth Modernization Act--seeks to establish a federal definition of telehealth and clear up the confusion from myriad state policies.
"Telehealth is a major contributing factor to increased health care
quality, convenience, and lower costs," said Reps. Doris Matsui
(D-Calif.) and Bill Johnson (R-Ohio), who introduced the Telehealth
Modernization Act. "However, there currently are 50 separate sets of
rules as to what type of care can be provided. This often leaves both
providers and patients in a state of uncertainty."
Meanwhile, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services last
month announced that changes to Medicare's 2014 physician fee schedule
would incrementally
expand coverage for telehealth services.
