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Bill

Bill

A 1691

Expands health care services provided by telehealth

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Ken Blankenbush and 42 co-sponsors

Bill A 1691 expands telehealth services, enhancing access to care for underserved patients while ensuring fair reimbursement and security standards for providers.

REPORTED REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS
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Bill Summary · A 1691

Summary of Bill A 1691: Expanding Telehealth Services

Bill Number: A 1691
Title: Expands health care services provided by telehealth
Status: Reported, referred to Ways and Means
Introduced: January 14, 2025
Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

Bill A 1691 aims to enhance access to healthcare by expanding the range of services that can be delivered via telehealth. The intent is to improve healthcare delivery, particularly for individuals in underserved areas or those with mobility challenges, by leveraging technology to provide medical consultations, diagnoses, and follow-up care remotely.

Key Provisions

  • Expansion of Services: The bill proposes to broaden the types of healthcare services eligible for telehealth delivery. This includes but is not limited to:

    • Primary care consultations
    • Mental health services
    • Chronic disease management
    • Preventive care services
  • Reimbursement Policies: The bill seeks to establish clear guidelines for reimbursement of telehealth services by insurance providers, ensuring that these services are compensated at rates comparable to in-person visits.

  • Technology Standards: It mandates the adoption of specific technological standards to ensure the security and privacy of patient information during telehealth interactions.

  • Provider Eligibility: The bill outlines criteria for healthcare providers to qualify for delivering telehealth services, including necessary training and certification requirements.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Patients: Individuals seeking healthcare services, especially those in rural or underserved urban areas, would benefit from increased access to telehealth options.

  • Healthcare Providers: Doctors, mental health professionals, and other healthcare practitioners would be impacted by the new regulations and reimbursement policies, which may affect their practice operations.

  • Insurance Companies: Insurers would need to adjust their policies and reimbursement structures to comply with the new telehealth service guidelines established by the bill.

Procedural Aspects

  • Legislative Timeline:

    • Introduced: January 14, 2025
    • Referred to Health Committee: January 14, 2025
    • Reported and Referred to Ways and Means: February 4, 2025
  • Related Legislation: This bill is related to prior-session Bill A 7316 and has a companion bill in the Senate, S 3359, which may influence its progress and potential amendments.

Conclusion

Bill A 1691 represents a significant step towards modernizing healthcare delivery through telehealth, aiming to make healthcare more accessible and efficient. By expanding the scope of services and ensuring proper reimbursement, the bill seeks to address existing barriers to care and improve health outcomes for a diverse population.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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