Telemedicine

Senate Bill 675 was passed in the 2010 Virginia General Assembly session to expand access to telemedicine services. Generally, telemedicine is defined as specific and direct patient care provided using telecommunications technology such as interactive audio, video or other electronic media for the purpose of diagnosis, consultation, or treatment. However, “telemedicine services” do not include an audio-only telephone, electronic mail message, or facsimile transmission. The new Virginia law requires that health plans and health maintenance organizations (HMOs) reimburse health care providers for health care services rendered through telemedicine, just like they would if there was a face-to-face meeting. Health plans may implement utilization reviews to determine the appropriateness of telemedicine services.

Telemedicine is an important tool to improve timely access to care. In rural areas or high traffic urban areas, telemedicine offers physicians and patients access to high quality and cost effective medical and consultative services.

Resources

Part B Telemedicine Services (trailblazerhealth.com)
 
American Telemedicine Association (americantelemed.org)

Coding telemedicine services (msv.org)