5 Telehealth Bills To Watch

Brian Heaton | Government Technology | May 20, 2014

Federal and state legislation on the use of telehealth has been a hot topic for lawmakers over the past year.

Federal and state legislation on the use of telehealth has been a hot topic for lawmakers over the past year.

The practice of telehealth has increased in recent years as physicians and patients have become more comfortable meeting through video conferencing and other digital means. But as electronic health practices have grown, so have the legal and financial complexities that come with them.

Many of those issues have centered on properly reimbursing doctors who use telehealth and getting care providers and health insurance companies on the same page regarding when telehealth practice is appropriate. A number of bills have been introduced recently to address those issues and encourage adoption of telemedicine methods as a way to meet the rising demand for routine medical services.

Below is a rundown of five federal and state measures that experts believe could have a significant impact on telehealth use in the U.S. if they become law...