Page 1 - Telehealth Modernization Act of 2015

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HR 691 - Telehealth Modernization Act of 2015

Rep. Matsui (D-CA)
Author Intent: The author finds that telecommunications technology used to deliver
various health services can potentially improve quality and health care access,
remove traditional barriers, and change conditions of practice, particularly in rural,
underserved communities. The bill seeks to establish a federal standard for tele-
health and serve as guidance for states, subject to a number of specified conditions.

BILL DRAFT CURRENT LAW

There currently is no formal definition of
Defines “telehealth” to mean, “with respect to health care that a telehealth in federal law or regulation that
health care professional is authorized to deliver to an individual applies to all federal policy and reimbursements.
in person under State law, such health care delivered by such Most states have their own definition for
health care professional to such individual not in person, from telehealth or telemedicine either in law or
any location to any other location, and by means of real-time regulation.
video, secure chat or secure email, or integrated telephony.”

Additionally, almost all states have not included
email or phone as part of the definition. It is
unclear what “integrated telephony” would mean.

Suggests that if a State authorizes an individual to provide
health care, the State should also authorize the health care
professional to deliver such health care through “telehealth,”
subject to certain conditions.

Conditions for health care delivery through telehealth: No states have listed in their laws such
1. Practitioner should have access to patient’s medical specific conditions to allow for telehealth-de-
history, and review it with the patient to the same extent livered service provision. These conditions
that the practitioner would if the service was provided in are provided as guidance for states to
person; consider and adopt.
2. Practitioner should attempt to identify the conditions
underlying the symptoms before providing diagnosis or
treatment;
3. Practitioner should have a conversation with the patient to
adequately establish a diagnosis rendered;
4. Practitioner should document the evaluation and treatment
furnished to the patient, and at the patient’s option:
A. Provide the patient with medical information in standard
medical record format about the evaluation and treatment;
and
B. Send any documentation of evaluation and treatment to
one or more selected health care professionals responsible
for the individual’s care;

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