Virginia mandates reimbursement for telemedicine
The Virginia State Legislature this week approved a bill mandating health insurers, healthcare subscription plans and health maintenance organizations (HMOs) to fully cover the cost of healthcare services provided through telemedicine services.
The bill, which passed by a unanimous vote and will be signed into law by Governor Robert F. McDonnell, defines "telemedicine services" as the use of interactive audio, video or other electronic media for the purpose of diagnosis, consultation or treatment.
"This is one more indication that telemedicine is now fully accepted by providers, policy makers, consumers and insurers as an important way to increase access, improve quality and reduce costs in the delivery of healthcare," said Jonathan D. Linkous, CEO of the American Telemedicine Association (ATA).
Virginia is joining the ranks of 11 other states that have passed similar mandates for the coverage of telemedicine, including California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Oregon and Texas.
The bill, which passed by a unanimous vote and will be signed into law by Governor Robert F. McDonnell, defines "telemedicine services" as the use of interactive audio, video or other electronic media for the purpose of diagnosis, consultation or treatment.
"This is one more indication that telemedicine is now fully accepted by providers, policy makers, consumers and insurers as an important way to increase access, improve quality and reduce costs in the delivery of healthcare," said Jonathan D. Linkous, CEO of the American Telemedicine Association (ATA).
Virginia is joining the ranks of 11 other states that have passed similar mandates for the coverage of telemedicine, including California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Oregon and Texas.