State Telemedicine Policy Information
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Pennsylvania Telemedicine Policy
Pennsylvania Telemedicine Policy
There are two big pieces of pending legislation in Pennsylvania that could change the way telemedicine happens there. One is the state’s parity law, which would secure greater reimbursement security for telehealth providers.
The other bill concerns the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, which would help physicians and patients in Pennsylvania have greater cross-state access.
State Policy Overview
Medicaid
Yes
Private Payer
No
Parity
No
Additional State Telemedicine Info
Parity Laws
Pennsylvania doesn’t have an active parity law yet, but one has been proposed. A telemedicine parity law requires private payers to reimburse telemedicine services in the same way as in-person services.
Medicaid
Pennsylvania’s Medicaid program defines telemedicine as the use of real-time interactive telecommunications technology that includes, at a minimum, audio and video equipment as a mode of delivering consultation services. Based on this definition, Medicaid will only reimburse for live video telemedicine.
Type Of Telemedicine Covered
Pennsylvania Medicaid will reimburse for live video only, and specifically for specialty consultations.
Covered Health Services
Medicaid will reimburse for specialty consultations. Additionally, Pennsylvania Medicaid will reimburse licensed psychiatrists and licensed psychologists for telepsychiatry outpatient services, including:
- Psychiatric diagnostic evaluations
- Psychological Evaluations
- Pharmacological management
- Consultations (with patient/family)
- Psychotherapy
Eligible Healthcare Providers
Pennsylvania Medicaid will only reimburse certain healthcare providers for telemedicine services:
- Physicians
- Certified registered nurse practitioners
- Certified nurse midwives
- Psychiatrists and psychologists
Online Prescriptions
Pennsylvania does not currently have any regulations concerning prescribing medications via telehealth.
Informed Patient Consent
Pennsylvania’s Medicaid program requires telemedicine-specific informed consent only for telepsychiatry services.
Cross-State Telemedicine Licensing
While Pennsylvania has not yet joined the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, the state has proposed legislation to consider it. This compact helps out-of-state providers get licensed in Pennsylvania through an expedited process.