HB 2454 Summary

• Replaces terminology of "telemedicine" with "telehealth" throughout Arizona law and expands the definition to include asynchronous store-and-forward technologies, remote patient monitoring, and audio-only encounters for behavioral health and substance use disorder services.

• Requires health insurance plans and disability insurers to reimburse telehealth services at the same rate as in-person care for audio-visual encounters, and at equivalent rates for audio-only behavioral health services.

• Establishes a telehealth advisory committee on telehealth best practices to develop guidelines for appropriate telehealth services, with recommendations due by December 1, 2021 for audio-only services and June 30, 2022 for general best practices.

• Allows out-of-state health care providers to register with Arizona's regulatory boards to provide telehealth services without requiring full licensure, subject to registration requirements, professional liability insurance, and compliance with Arizona laws.

• Permits telehealth examinations for prescribing purposes except for Schedule II controlled substances, which require in-person or audio-visual examination, and removes restrictions on health care providers from in-person examinations prior to prescribing.