News & Advocacy

Telehealth Expansion Legislation Approved by Ohio House

posted: December 9, 2020

A bill to expand telehealth amid a pandemic that continues to grow in Ohio has entered a state Senate committee for consideration. House Bill 679 passed the Ohio House in June and seeks to expand telemedicine provisions already present in law regarding fields such as psychology, speech pathology, therapy and professional counseling, independent social workers and dietitians. The bill also seeks to keep health benefit plans from charging a patient more for a telehealth appointment comparable to an in-person appointment. The proposal allows health care professionals to negotiate with health plans on a reimbursement rate related to telehealth services and includes Medicaid providers and patients in telehealth eligibility. The Ohio Senate is scheduled to be in Session through December 17th. (Ohio Capital Journal, Nov. 12, 2020)