Telehealth coverage policy 2021, 1st Special Session HF33/SF37 Chapter 7, Article 6 HHS omnibus bill Effective: July 1, 2021, or upon federal approval, whichever is later Short description The legislature established requirements for the coverage of telehealth by health carriers, consolidate statute, and define coverage by Medicaid. Summary The lengthy telehealth provisions, which includes modifying and consolidating telehealth statute as well as addressing health carrier and Medicaid policy issues, demonstrate the further integration of telehealth into Minnesota’s health care system. Highlights include the following: •
A rewrite the current telehealth coverage statute by changing the terminology from telemedicine to telehealth and by clarifying definitions and coverage requirements
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When a practitioner prescribes a drug used for medication-assisted therapy for a substance use disorder, the required examination of the patient may be completed via telehealth
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A clarification that a comprehensive assessment for substance use disorder may be delivered in person or via telehealth
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A chemical use assessment may be conducted via telehealth
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A chemical dependency services may be provided via telehealth, and that the use of telehealth must be medically appropriate and must meet the needs of the person being served
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The medical assistance coverage of services delivered by telehealth is updated: o
The current coverage limitation of three telemedicine services per enrollee
o
Allow the commissioner to establish criteria that a provider must attest to in
per calendar week is removed order to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of delivering a particular service through telehealth
o
Authorizes telehealth visits provided through audio and visual communication to be used to satisfy the face-to-face requirement for reimbursement under methods that apply to FQHCs, rural health clinics, Indian health services, tribal clinics, and community behavioral health clinic if the service would have otherwise qualified for payment if performed in person
o
Permits a provider to document a client’s verbal approval or electronic written approval of the treatment plan or change to the treatment plan in
CARE PROVIDERS OF MINNESOTA
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2021 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE BOOK
