Raised Bill No. 1176 - Summary

• Department of Social Services shall provide Connecticut medical assistance program coverage for telehealth services, including audio-only telehealth services effective July 1, 2023, when clinically appropriate, cost-effective, and likely to expand access to medically necessary services.

• Telehealth providers must reimburse services at the same rate as in-person care to the extent permitted under federal law, and the Commissioner must seek federal waivers or amend the Medicaid state plan to secure federal reimbursement for telehealth coverage costs.

• Expands the definition of "telehealth provider" to include out-of-state licensed health care providers (effective July 1, 2024) who meet specified insurance and licensing requirements, and allows audio-only telehealth for in-network providers and Connecticut medical assistance program providers.

• Prohibits telehealth providers and hospitals from charging facility fees for telehealth services and requires providers to accept Medicare reimbursement rates for uninsured patients or health plan rates for insured patients.

• Health carriers are prohibited from reducing reimbursement to telehealth providers solely because services were provided via telehealth rather than in-person, and practitioners prescribing controlled substances via telehealth must electronically submit prescriptions.