On April 2, 2019, AHIP addressed a letter to Reps. Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Peter Welch (D-VT), the co-chairs of the Congressional Telehealth Caucus, responding to their recent request for information on opportunities surrounding the use of telehealth technology.
Our letter explains that health insurance providers are committed to ensuring that telehealth technology is used to improve access and care for all patients, regardless of where they live and work.
We also discuss barriers to the continued growth of telehealth, including significant challenges relating to state licensure of providers and inconsistent rules across the states affecting which types of providers are permitted to practice medicine via telehealth.
While highlighting the need for federal and state policies that allow technology-based care delivery approaches and innovations to flourish, we offer recommendations in several areas.