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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2015 - 2016 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	March 10, 2016 03:26 PM
From:	Senator Elder A. Vogel, Jr.
To:	All Senate members
Subject:	Telemedicine

Telemedicine is the remote delivery of health care services and medical information using telecommunications technology. Telemedicine is a significant and rapidly growing component of health care. Through the use of telemedicine, specialists and other health care providers are able to expand their reach, helping rural patients stay in their communities and avoid traveling long distances for specialized care. I will be introducing legislation to define what telemedicine is, offer guidelines outlining who can provide telemedicine services, and provide clarity around insurance company reimbursement for these services. My bill will ensure that coverage of these services won’t be denied just because the service is provided through telemedicine. It also will require insurers to reimburse the treating or consulting health care practitioner for the diagnosis, consultation, or treatment of the insured patient, similar to their reimbursement for the provision of the same service through in-person consultation or contact. Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation and contact Cheryl Schriner of my office with any questions or concerns.

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