State Telemedicine Policy Information
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Utah Telemedicine Policy
Utah Telemedicine Policy
Utah is making strides towards telemedicine success! In 2015, the Utah Education and Telehealth Network was granted $2,000,000 in funding, and has since been working tirelessly on expanding access to broadband internet and telehealth technology. Utah is also part of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, which helps out-of-state providers more easily deliver virtual care to Utah patients.
However, there’s still room for growth. Utah has yet to pass a telehealth parity law, which would require private insurers to cover telemedicine services.
State Policy Overview
Medicaid
Yes
Private Payer
No
Parity
No
Additional State Telemedicine Info
Parity Laws
Utah currently has no parity law for telemedicine, so reimbursement is not guaranteed through private payers–only through Medicaid.
Medicaid
Utah Medicaid defines telemedicine as two-way, interactive communication between a healthcare provider and patient. This means the program will cover live video telehealth, but not store-and-forward solutions. The program, unlike programs in many other states, does not restrict coverage to a specific list of medical conditions. Instead, Utah Medicaid covers “medically appropriate services delivered via telemedicine.”
Type Of Telemedicine Covered
Utah Medicaid defines telemedicine as “two-way, real time interactive communication.” This covers live video, but excludes store-and-forward reimbursement. Medicaid additionally covers remote patient monitoring, but only for outpatient long-term cardiac monitoring.
Covered Health Services
Utah Medicaid will reimburse for “medically appropriate” health services delivered over live video. This includes:
- Consultation services
- Evaluation and management services
- Mental health services
- Substance use disorder services
- Outpatient long-term cardiac monitoring
Eligible Healthcare Providers
Utah is one of the lucky states that do not limit telemedicine to specific healthcare provider types.
Online Prescriptions
Utah law requires healthcare providers to satisfy a list of requirements before prescribing medication through a telemedicine visit, including making the patient’s medical record available. Also, providers shouldn’t write prescriptions based only on an internet questionnaire.
Informed Patient Consent
No telemedicine-specific consent requirements have been written into law. However, we always recommend obtaining consent before starting a telemedicine visit.
Cross-State Telemedicine Licensing
Utah has joined the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact. This compact makes it easier for out-of-state telemedicine providers to practice in Utah.
Restrictions On Locations
Utah state law and Medicaid have no restrictions on patient location.
Reimbursement Rates
Utah Medicaid will reimburse the lesser of the amount billed or the rate on the fee schedule. Because there is no parity law, private payers are not required to cover telemedicine services. However, many companies are seeing the benefits of telemedicine and including this in their policy coverage.