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Bill

A 9137

Makes permanent certain provisions relating to reimbursement for commercial and Medicaid services provided via telehealth; establishes the rural health care professional loan award repayment award program

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Robert Smullen

Converts telehealth reimbursement for commercial insurers and Medicaid into permanent policy, ensuring stable payment for telehealth services.

REFERRED TO HEALTH
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Bill Summary · A 9137

Summary of Assembly Bill A 9137

Overview

Bill A 9137, introduced October 17, 2025 and currently REFERRED TO HEALTH, aims to:

  • Make permanent certain provisions relating to reimbursement for telehealth services provided by commercial insurers and Medicaid.
  • Establish a rural health care professional loan repayment award program.

Primary sponsor: Assemblymember Robert Smullen.

What the bill would do

  • Telehealth reimbursement permanence

    • The bill would render permanent the existing provisions that govern how telehealth services are reimbursed by commercial health insurers and by Medicaid. This suggests continuing coverage and payment rules for telehealth equivalent to traditional in-person services, subject to the specifics in the bill text.

  • Rural health care professional loan repayment award program

    • Creates a program designed to repay student loans for rural health care professionals as an incentive to practice in rural areas.
    • The bill would outline administration, eligibility criteria, award amounts, funding sources, and application processes in the final text (these details are not provided in the summary).

Who would be affected

  • Rural health care professionals eligible for loan repayment benefits.
  • Health care providers and facilities delivering telehealth services to patients covered by Medicaid and to those with commercial insurance.
  • Insurance providers (commercial plans) and the Medicaid program, which would be subject to the permanent telehealth reimbursement provisions.
  • The state Department or agency designated to administer the loan repayment program (administrative responsibilities will be defined in the bill).

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Status: REFERRED TO HEALTH (as of introduction on 2025-10-17). The bill has been recorded as referred to the Health Committee (listed twice in the actions).
  • Next steps typically include: Health Committee consideration, potential committee votes, floor votes in the Assembly, and then passage to the Senate for a counterpart process. The final text would specify effective dates, transition rules, funding appropriations, and any sunset or review provisions.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Access to telehealth: Permanence of telehealth reimbursement could help maintain or expand patient access to care, especially for Medicaid beneficiaries and those with private insurance, by providing stable payment rules for telehealth services.
  • Rural health workforce: The loan repayment program could attract and retain health care professionals in rural areas, addressing workforce shortages.
  • Implementation details: The effectiveness and scope will depend on the bill’s specifics, including eligibility, funding levels, annual caps, eligible professions, covered services, and administrative processes.

Sponsor

  • Primary: Robert Smullen

Note: The summary reflects the information available in the bill description. The final bill text will provide detailed provisions, timelines, and funding specifics.

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

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