www.CHESTERCMS.org QUARTERLY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Telemedicine Background Two bills - SB 780 and HB 1648 - would establish a statutory definition for telemedicine, mandate that telemedicine services are reimbursed, and prohibit "audio only" services (video must be available if either the patient or provider requests it). Current Status SB 780 was unanimously approved by the Senate and was voted on favorably within the House Professional Licensure Committee. As of the writing of this update, telemedicine is awaiting second consideration on the House floor. Next Steps The government relations team is optimistic that this legislation could be passed into law this legislative session. PAMED is relying heavily on its members to respond to calls to action on this topic. For more information, visit www.pamedsoc.org/telemedicine. Prior Authorization Reform Background PAMED is seeking a legislative fix to the prior authorization process to address patient care issues, such as delays in needed 2 8 C H E S T E R C O U N T Y M e d i c i n e | FA L L 2 0 1 8 treatment. Our efforts are supported by a coalition of more than 50 patient and medical advocacy groups. 2018 Key Dates: * Patient advocacy groups/stakeholders met in February. * A call to action to physicians across the state took place in late April. * Emails from PAMED to House Insurance Committee members took place in May. * Provider advocacy groups/stakeholders met in August. Current Status HB 1293 was introduced and referred to the House Insurance Committee in May 2017. Next Steps In the 2019-2020 legislative session and at the request of insurers and lawmakers, PAMED will be working with stakeholders to make amendments to Act 68, rather than having a freestanding law. We are hopeful that an amendment to an existing law will gain more traction and get to the governor's desk.http://www.chestercms.org http://www.pamedsoc.org/telemedicine