AUSTIN, MN—Representative Peggy Bennett, R-Albert Lea, toured a Mayo Clinic telemedicine facility in Austin, Minnesota Wednesday, one of three Mayo Clinic pilot sites in the state. Bennett scheduled the tour to learn more about telemedicine technology. The legislature passed telemedicine reforms during the 2015 session aimed at expanding telemedicine access to Minnesotans with private health insurance and on Medical Assistance programs.
"I want to thank the CEO of Mayo in Albert Lea and Austin Dr. Mark Ciota and Mayo staff here in Austin for the tour, and helping me understand more about telemedicine technology and the pilot program that they hope to bring to other cities in Minnesota," Bennett said.
Bennett is one of several Greater Minnesota legislators calling for federal action to expand telemedicine coverage for Medicare patients with a letter to Minnesota's congressional delegation being sent later this week. She spoke with reporters following the tour about the letter being sent to Congress and the need for telemedicine coverage for Medicare patients.
"Thanks to bipartisan reforms passed by the legislature in 2015, more Minnesotans will have access to exciting new telemedicine health care options," Bennett said. "It makes sense that our aging loved ones on Medicare should have those options available to them as well. Telemedicine can help decrease health care costs while increasing quality and access. As telemedicine technology develops, residents of Greater Minnesota will be able to have access to the same world-class doctors and specialists right in their communities, and not have to travel to Rochester or the Twin Cities."
In 2015, the legislature passed three telemedicine reforms as part of the Health and Human Services Finance bill signed into law by Governor Dayton in May:
-
Effective January 1, 2016, health plans for which coverage benefits start on or after January 1, 2017 "shall include coverage for telemedicine benefits in the same manner as any other benefits covered under the policy, plan, or contract," and are not able to exclude coverage solely because the service is provided via telemedicine. Carriers are also required to reimburse the "distant site" (the place where the telemedicine facility is located) for covered services delivered via telemedicine on the same basis and at the same rate as they would for in-person services.
-
Starting January 1, 2016, Medical Assistance (MA) will be required to cover "medically necessary services and consultations delivered by a licensed health care provider via telemedicine," and "shall be paid at the full allowable rate."
-
Expanded the ability of doctors to deliver mental health services by telemedicine.
Without federal action, Medicare patients may be left without telemedicine coverage available to Minnesotans on private plans and those on Medical Assistance, Minnesota's version of Medicaid, and clinics and other facilities may be reluctant to expand telemedicine technology due to lack of Medicare reimbursement.
###