MS HB859

Revises the definition of "telemedicine" to mean delivery of health care services through interactive audio, video, or other electronic media in real-time, excluding mail and facsimile communications.

Requires all health insurance and employee benefit plans in Mississippi to provide coverage for telemedicine services to the same extent as in-person services.

Prohibits health insurance and employee benefit plans from reducing reimbursement rates for telemedicine services compared to identical in-person services.

Limits patient cost-sharing (deductibles, co-payments, coinsurance) for telemedicine to amounts not exceeding those for in-person consultations.

Requires coverage of direct patient-to-provider telemedicine consultations, not just provider-to-provider consultations, effective July 1, 2022.