Page 46 State Telehealth Laws and Reimbursement Policies A Comprehensive Scan of the 50 States and District of Columbia

Center for Connected Health Policy

Georgia

Medicaid Program: Georgia Medicaid

Program Administrator: Georgia Dept. of Community Health

Regional Telehealth Resource Center:
Southeast Telehealth Resource Center
PO Box 1408
Waycross, GA 31501
(888) 138-7210
www.setrc.us

STATE LAW/REGULATIONS MEDICAID PROGRAM

Definition of telemedicine/telehealth
“Telemedicine means the practice, by a duly licensed “Telemedicine is the use of medical information
physician or other health care provider acting within the exchange from one site to another via electronic
scope of such provider's practice, of health care communications to improve patients’ health status. It is
delivery, diagnosis, consultation, treatment, or transfer the use of two-way, real time interactive communication
of medical data by means of audio, video, or data equipment to exchange the patient information from one
communications which are used during a medical visit site to another via an electronic communication system.
with a patient or which are used to transfer medical data This includes audio and video telecommunication
obtained during a medical visit with a patient. Standard equipment.”
telephone, facsimile transmissions, unsecured e-mail, or
a combination thereof do not constitute telemedicine “Closely associated with telemedicine is the
services.” term ’telehealth,’ which is often used to encompass a
broader definition of remote healthcare that does not
Source: Official Code of GA Annotated Sec. 33-24-56.4 (2012). always involve clinical services. Telehealth is the use of
telecommunication technologies for clinical care
(telemedicine), patient teachings and home health,
health professional education (distance learning),
administrative and program planning, and other diverse
aspects of a health care delivery system.”

Source: GA Dept. of Community Health, GA Medicaid
Telemedicine Handbook, p. 2, (Nov. 2012).

Live Video Reimbursement
Georgia requires coverage of telemedicine services Georgia Medicaid will reimburse for live video when the
(which includes live video), subject to contract terms and service is “medically necessary, the procedure is
conditions. (See “Private Payers” section). individualized, specific, consistent with symptoms or
confirmed diagnosis of an illness or injury under
Source: GA Rules & Regulations. Sec. 33-24-56.4 (2012). treatment, and not in excess of the member’s needs.”

Eligible services:

• Office visits;
• Pharmacologic management;
• Limited office psychiatric services;
• Limited radiological services;
• A limited number of other physician fee
schedule services.

Source: GA Dept. of Community Health, GA Medicaid

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