Page 8 ATA State Telehealth Policy Toolkit Coverage and Reimbursement
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PROPOSED STATE ACTION PLAN
Be prepared to plan for a multi-year campaign because it takes time to build legislative support and momentum.
Don’t be discouraged if your bill does not pass the first year. Here are some ideas to enhance your strategy:
1. Conducting a comprehensive campaign plan needs to include setting short, intermediate and long term
goals with an evaluation process as well. It will be critical to analyze the external political environment,
complete strengths-weaknesses-opportunities-threats (SWOT) analysis, determine targets and resources
to meet the goals.
2. Consider grassroots and target strategies to influence policy successes that align with timelines.
3. Consider a power mapping processes to determine how to influence and gain sponsor support.
4. Develop alliances with state allies that represent key organizations and individuals who can move the
issue forward. Some examples include:
Consumer groups, or specialty healthcare groups, such as state chapters of the American Heart
Association and American Psychiatric Association.
State health provider groups, such as the state medical society, the state hospital association,
and state telehealth networks
State Department of Health. The Department designates critical access hospital designations
and medically underserved areas. It also provides data on workforce shortages, health status
indicators and emergency preparedness.
Commercial insurers that support telehealth services in other states
The federally-funded Telehealth Resource Center for your state
(www.telehealthresourcecenter.org)
Phone, cable, and internet service providers
5. Consider recruiting “power brokers,” people who have influence over targets/sponsors. This could be
someone like the Secretary of Health or key business executive who has investment in the issue.
6. Recommendations and planning should also include a current review of existing statues and or
regulations that either assist or create barriers for moving telehealth forward. Consider strategies to
address issues that may have solutions through a policy process. Examples could include
reimbursement for services.
7. Utilize and leverage anecdotal and empirical evidence-based research from national organizations to
build case for need, policy language and overall recommendations when considering working on
barriers for telemedicine models.
8. Develop a cost vs. benefit analysis including district-level data which may help build your argument for
the need. Look at current health data sources regarding health conditions and disparities. One question
to consider, what does the health condition cost the state currently untreated vs. addressing care through
diverse delivery models like telemedicine.
9. Identify a strong bill sponsor. It is important to have a key legislator introduce the telehealth bill. The
following are some key considerations for choosing and supporting a sponsor:
Preferably choose a member in the majority party: especially in a highly partisan legislature
Also, focus on members of the committee of jurisdiction
An ideal candidate is someone with a personal passion for telehealth and with strong constituent
support for telehealth
Engage the potential sponsor(s) in community based activities, announcements and ribbon
cutting related to telemedicine
Reach out to members of the National Organization for Black Elected Legislative Women
(NOBEL), the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators, and the National Black Caucus of
State Legislators whose national organizations have already endorsed model telehealth
legislation.
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American Telemedicine Association
www.americantelemed.org
