SF1160 Summary: Minnesota Telehealth Act

• Creates comprehensive "Minnesota Telehealth Act" (section 62A.673) establishing statewide telehealth coverage requirements for private health plans, including parity with in-person services, same reimbursement rates, and prohibition of geographic limitations on coverage.

• Expands telehealth services across state public health programs (medical assistance, MinnesotaCare) for mental health, substance use disorder treatment, case management, and pediatric services, with audio-only communication permitted for scheduled appointments and emergency mental health/substance use situations.

• Establishes telemonitoring services coverage under medical assistance when medically appropriate and the recipient can operate equipment or has a caregiver to assist.

• Creates task force on person-centered telepresence platform strategy with 20 members from legislature, counties, tribal governments, health providers, and advocacy organizations to develop interoperable telehealth infrastructure standards and governance recommendations by January 15, 2022.

• Directs commissioner of health to study telehealth payment impacts on access, disparities, rural care availability, and interstate licensing options, reporting findings by February 15, 2024; extends COVID-19 emergency telehealth modifications through June 30, 2023.