The American Telemedicine Association (ATA) released an update to two of its reports regarding state telemedicine policies. The first state report identifies gaps in coverage and reimbursement, while the second report provides a state-level, gaps analysis of physician practice standards and licensure.
“These reports provide an important barometer for gauging how each state is performing,” Jonathan Linkous, CEO of the American Telemedicine Association, said in a statement. “The first step to ensuring that sound policy leads to better health care delivery is to understand where gaps in policy exist today and what to do about them.”
50 State Telemedicine Gaps Analysis – Coverage & Reimbursement
The report compared telemedicine adoption for every state based on 13 indicators. Compared to the initial report which was released in September 2014, there are more states now with an “A” or “B” grade. Overall, 11 states and DC have adopted policies that improved coverage and reimbursement of telemedicine-provided services while Maryland and New Hampshire have adopted policies further restricting coverage. Delaware, Iowa, Mississippi, Nevada, and Oklahoma are among those that have “improved their grades.” On the other hand, Connecticut and Rhode Island continue to average the lowest composite score.
50 State Telemedicine Gaps Analysis – Physician Practice Standards & Licensure
Arkansas and Texas are the only states with the lowest composite score.This report reviewed state laws and medical board standards, and has found that compared to September 2014, medical boards want to impose different regulations or guidance for medical practice via telemedicine when compared to in-person practice. This, ATA claims, has led to more states dropping a letter grade than those that have improved since 2014.
Alabama made a significant improvement by repealing their telemedicine rules and observing medical practice parity standards regardless of the delivery method. Among the winners are Michigan and South Dakota, both of which improved to an “A”.
In sharp contrast, Arkansas and Texas are the only states with the lowest composite score. Also, Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, South Carolina, and Virginia dropped from an “A” to “B” as a result of adopted language that enforces different standards for telemedicine compared to in-person practice.
Both reports, including research methodology and state-specific report cards, are available from here.