FL H0793

State group health insurance program is encouraged to offer health insurance plans that include telehealth coverage for state employees.

Agency for Health Care Administration authorized to pay for live video conferencing, store and forward, and remote patient monitoring as optional Medicaid services.

Establishes standard of care for telehealth providers equivalent to in-person care; telehealth providers not required to research patient history or conduct physical examinations if evaluation is sufficient to diagnose and treat.

Nonphysician telehealth providers acting within their scope of practice are not deemed to be practicing medicine without a license; authorized telehealth providers may prescribe controlled substances via telehealth except for chronic nonmalignant pain treatment or marijuana certifications.

Department of Health must develop and disseminate educational materials on telehealth use to licensed practitioners by January 1, 2019; insurers offering workers' compensation and employer's liability insurance encouraged to include telehealth services in approved rating plans.