Impact of Telehealth in Pennsylvania
Telehealth can be used to connect a specialist to a patient at a distance. It can be used to deliver life-saving care, as well as deliver routine care in a timely, cost-effective manner. Services delivered through telehealth can save time and money, as well as enhance health outcomes and support population health.
Telehealth can support the right care, at the right time, and in the right setting for Pennsylvanians.
Telehealth quickly grew in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to emergency regulatory flexibility at both the state and federal levels that expanded access. HAP is advocating to permanently continue Pennsylvanians' access to important telehealth services.
Pennsylvania Telehealth Legislation
HAP supports legislation to establish a clear definition for telehealth in state law, set guidelines for who can provide telehealth services, and clarify payments to health care providers for telehealth services.
HAP also supported adoption of Act 76 during July 2020, which authorizes telehealth for behavioral health services.
HAP advocated for extending regulatory waivers that have supported expanded access to telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Federal Activity
HAP has supported efforts to expand the use of telehealth for Medicare beneficiaries by addressing both coverage and payment limitations resulting from restrictive statutes and regulations. HAP has applauded Congress and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for identifying particular opportunities to expand Medicare beneficiaries' access to telehealth services, but will continue to engage federal policymakers to make telehealth services more broadly available.
HAP Contacts
For more information, contact Heather Tyler, vice president, state legislative advocacy; or Kate Slatt, vice president, innovative payment and care delivery. Media inquiries should be directed to Liam Migdail, director, media relations.