Telehealth Coverage and Payment Parity Act

Telehealth Coverage and Payment Parity Act

This bill requires private health insurance plans to cover certain services provided via telecommunications systems (i.e., telehealth). Specifically, the telehealth services must be deemed medically necessary by a health care provider and covered under the plan if provided in person. Plans must apply the same cost-sharing and reimbursement amounts that would otherwise apply to such services and may waive cost-sharing requirements for any services to diagnose or treat COVID-19, including via telehealth.

Bill 117 HR 4480, also known as the Telehealth Coverage and Payment Parity Act, aims to expand access to telehealth services for individuals across the United States. The bill seeks to ensure that individuals have equal access to telehealth services regardless of their location or insurance coverage.

One of the key provisions of the bill is the requirement for insurance companies to cover telehealth services at the same rate as in-person services. This parity in coverage is intended to make telehealth services more affordable and accessible for individuals who may not have access to traditional healthcare services.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions to expand the types of healthcare providers who are eligible to provide telehealth services. This expansion is aimed at increasing the availability of telehealth services in underserved areas and improving access to care for individuals who may not have easy access to healthcare facilities. Overall, the Telehealth Coverage and Payment Parity Act seeks to address the disparities in access to healthcare services by expanding coverage and payment options for telehealth services. By ensuring that individuals have equal access to telehealth services, the bill aims to improve healthcare outcomes and reduce healthcare costs for individuals across the United States.