Representatives Holmes and Fraizer Introduce Telemedicine Expansion Act

COLUMBUS – State Representatives Mark Fraizer (R-Newark) and Adam Holmes (R-Nashport) today introduced legislation that would expand the current law concerning telemedicine in Ohio.

The Telemedicine Expansion Act expands on the types of providers who may bill for telehealth services, adds new services that a provider may bill for and implements new ways in which providers can see patients across state borders.

“This legislation decreases healthcare costs and increases access to healthcare practitioners,” said Fraizer. “During the coronavirus, many doctors and healthcare providers were forced to close their facilities, but the practice of telemedicine was a vital lifeline in ensuring their patients still had access to both care and services.”

The Telemedicine Expansion Act additionally consists of the following components:

• Expands the types of providers who may utilize and bill for services rendered via telehealth
• Expands “telehealth” to include email and phone calls, not just a virtual visit, which is the existing law
• States that there shall be no payment parity for telehealth services vs. in-person services
• Allows Ohio providers to provide telehealth services to patients who live out of state
• Provides liability protection to providers
• Gives discretion to providers to require to see a patient in person instead of telehealth if the provider feels it is necessary

“The Telemedicine Expansion Act is necessary for Ohio’s healthcare system. The bill will give people who live in rural communities the opportunity to receive care when they otherwise may not be able to and allow Ohio providers the opportunity to care for out of state individuals who wish to avail themselves of our exceptional healthcare workforce,” said Holmes. 

-30-

For more information, contact Rep. Fraizer’s office at (614) 466-1482 or rep71@ohiohouse.gov or contact Representative Holmes’s office at (614) 644-6014 or Rep97@OhioHouse.gov