WSHA Provides Bulletin Outlining Audio-Only and Other Telemedicine Law Changes

Beginning July 25th, audio-only telemedicine will become a permanent covered and reimbursable service in Washington state. The new law (ESHB 1196) builds on Washington state’s telemedicine payment parity law by requiring reimbursement for audio-only telemedicine to be paid at “the same amount of compensation the carrier would pay the provider if the health care service was provided in person by the provider.” Additionally, hospitals will be able to grant privileges to physicians working at distant site hospitals for audio-only telemedicine. We are very pleased audio-only telemedicine will become a covered and reimbursable service in Washington state. WSHA strongly supported ESHB 1196 and the legislation was a top priority in our 2021 legislative agenda. WSHA will continue to engage on this issue as the Office of the Insurance Commissioner and Health Care Authority implement the law. Click here to read WSHA’s bulletin. (David Streeter, DavidS@wsha.org)