Representatives Holmes, Fraizer, Ohio House Pass Telemedicine Expansion Act
COLUMBUS – The Ohio House of Representatives today passed House Bill 679, the Telemedicine Expansion Act, sponsored by State Representatives Mark Fraizer (R-Newark) and Adam Holmes (R-Nashport).
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.
“Other states have similar legislation in order to keep up-to-date with the evolving medical system providers are using,” said Fraizer. “Specifically in Ohio, the growth in telemedicine has been astronomical and it is essential to appropriately regulate this service to encourage its adoption, utilization and expansion.”
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 provides clear regulations for protecting the privacy of patients,” said Holmes. “It requires providers use secure video technologies and take steps to protect username and password information, as well as electronic communications between the providers and the patient.”
The bill passed with a vote of 90-3 and now goes to the Senate for consideration.
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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