tMED, the Massachusetts Telemedicine Coalition, which was convened by MHA and includes more than 30 healthcare provider, consumer and technology organizations, joined with Sen. Jason Lewis (D-Winchester) and Rep. Tom Golden (D-Lowell) last Friday to file legislation that would adopt a comprehensive telemedicine framework for Massachusetts.
The bill will ensure parity in insurance coverage for telemedicine services at the same payment rate as in-person treatment, streamline the credentialing process for Massachusetts licensed clinicians using telemedicine services within the state, and ensure a uniform and consistent approach that fosters innovation when defining telemedicine services.
Telemedicine is a tool that healthcare providers, payers, patients, and employers can use to improve access to care for patients, improve health outcomes for chronic illnesses, and reduce costs associated with seeking in-person medical visits with healthcare providers. Telemedicine allows all patients (regardless of whether they live in rural or urban areas) convenient access to all levels of healthcare services (including but not limited to primary care providers, specialists, and behavioral health clinicians).
By streamlining provider evaluations of patients suffering from chronic (and expensive) diseases such as asthma, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, and hypertension, telemedicine has been shown to improve outcomes. Telemedicine also has been shown to help reduce hospital readmissions, lengths of stay, and emergency room visits.
Telemedicine continues to be a priority this legislative session as Governor Charlie Baker, in his inaugural address, announced that it will be included in healthcare legislation that he anticipates filing this year. Both the House and Senate omnibus healthcare bills last session included forms of telemedicine coverage parity.