Joining prime sponsor? Sen. Elder Vogel, R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence, and bipartisan leaders from the General Assembly, Gov. Josh Shapiro ? signed into law legislation expanding access to telemedicine services across Pennsylvania.
Senate Bill 739?requires health insurers and managed care plans to pay for covered health care services provided through telemedicine. According to a release, by requiring expanded insurance coverage for telemedicine, SB 739 will help to make health care more accessible and affordable in rural communities and across Pennsylvania.
“Every Pennsylvanian deserves to have access to quality, affordable health care when and where they need it and it shouldn’t be up to an insurance company to pick and choose what they cover,” Shapiro said in a statement. “More and more Pennsylvanians are relying on telemedicine to see their doctors and this bill requires insurers to cover services delivered via telemedicine the same way they cover traditional in-person services.
“My Administration will continue to work across party lines to expand access to health care for all Pennsylvanians, including those in our rural communities,” added Shapiro.
SB 739 ensures that should a commercial health insurer provides coverage for a health care service that is performed in-person, it must cover that same service via telemedicine if the required standard of care is met. In addition, SB 739 sets telehealth accessibility standards for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
“This is a remarkable milestone for Pennsylvania that has been a decade in the making,” Vogel said. “This law lays the framework for telemedicine access in our commonwealth an avenue of health care our residents will now be able to explore and utilize for their benefit. I appreciate the support of my colleagues, Gov. Josh Shapiro, our health care providers, and other critical stakeholders who helped make this law a reality.”
Sen. John DiSanto, Republican Chairman of the Senate Banking & Insurance Committee said the legislation will brings “a statutory framework and legal clarity to the provision of and insurance coverage for these critical medical services when an in-person consultation isn’t essential, ensuring that the convenience and cost-efficiency of telemedicine will continue for patients.”
Democratic Chairman of the Banking & Insurance Committee Sen. Sharif Street stated that expanding Telemedicine “meets the diverse needs of Pennsylvanians and protects the most vulnerable in our communities.”
The bill empowers the Pennsylvania Insurance Department to ensure Pennsylvanians have access to telemedicine services and treatments remain covered.
“In recent years, we have seen how telemedicine can be a game changer for Pennsylvanians, especially in areas with limited health care provider options,” said? Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen . “In addition to expanding access to quality care, telemedicine can help reduce the burden on families by eliminating the need to arrange for childcare, transportation, and time off work to attend a health care appointment.”
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