Senate Passes Telemedicine Expansion
Contact Name: Sara Persechino
Phone: (603) 271-3479
Email: Sara.Persechino@leg.state.nh.us
CONCORD - Today, the Senate voted in favor of SB 555 to expand telemedicine and clarify coverage for telehealth and telemedicine services under the Medicaid program and for New Hampshire group health insurers under the telemedicine act. SB 555 requires all group health insurance providers in New Hampshire to provide coverage and reimbursement for health care services provided through telemedicine on the same basis as in person services.
After the vote, prime sponsor Senator Jay Kahn (D-Keene) issued the following statement:
“Communities across New Hampshire benefit from telehealth services. Particularly in rural communities, telemedicine improves access to health care and guarantees timely and efficient delivery without regard to location or health care provider availability. SB 555 builds on the progress we have made in this arena by requiring Medicaid and group health insurers to reimburse health care providers at the same rate regardless of an in-office or telehealth consultation. Taking this step enables services to be delivered in the most timely and efficient way, thereby avoiding high long term health care costs and providing better care to patients across the state.”
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