HB 609 Summary

• Defines telehealth as use of interactive audio, video, and telecommunications technology for diagnosis and treatment, including synchronous real-time interactions and asynchronous store-and-forward transmissions of patient medical information.

• Requires Ohio Medicaid program to provide coverage of telehealth services across all program components, including the care management system, with coverage equal in amount, duration, and scope to in-person services.

• Authorizes multiple employer welfare arrangements, health insuring corporations, sickness and accident insurers, and public employee benefit plans to include telehealth coverage in their policies.

• Requires telehealth coverage to apply only to medically appropriate and necessary services provided by health care providers licensed, certified, or authorized in Ohio; limits reimbursement to single amount when both provider and facility are involved.

• Requires health care providers to maintain documentation of telehealth services in patient records for reimbursement purposes.