SF2743
Audio-only telehealth medical assistance extension provision
Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026)
Related bill: HF2172
AI Generated Summary
Purpose of the Bill
The purpose of this bill is to extend medical assistance coverage to include audio-only telehealth communications in Minnesota. This change aims to make healthcare services more accessible through telehealth, allowing patients to receive medical consultations without needing in-person visits.
Main Provisions
- Coverage Extension: The bill specifies that medical assistance will cover necessary health services and consultations provided through telehealth, which includes real-time two-way audio and visual communications.
- Audio-Only Telehealth: Specifically, from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2028, the definition of telehealth will temporarily include audio-only communications between a healthcare provider and patient, making this an eligible format for consultations.
- Provider Requirements: Healthcare providers delivering services via telehealth must confirm the safety and effectiveness of these services. They need to establish standards for patient care, including safety protocols and quality assurance processes.
- Documentation and Payment: Providers must document telehealth services as they would for in-person visits, detailing the type, time, and mode of transmission used for the service. They must also demonstrate that telehealth is an appropriate method for patient care.
- Applicable Locations: Telehealth, including audio-visual and audio-only methods, can meet the face-to-face consultation requirements for various clinics, such as federally qualified health centers and tribal clinics, provided they would otherwise be payable if conducted in person.
Significant Changes
- The bill modifies existing telehealth laws by explicitly including a temporary provision for audio-only telehealth consultations, which were not previously covered. This change seeks to expand healthcare accessibility and flexibility for medical assistance enrollees.
Relevant Terms
- Telehealth
- Audio-only communication
- Medical assistance
- Health care provider
- Face-to-face requirement
- Reimbursement
- Federally qualified health centers
- Tribal clinics
- Documentation requirements
Past committee meetings
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Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 20, 2025 | Senate | Action | Introduction and first reading | ||
| March 20, 2025 | Senate | Action | Referred to | Health and Human Services |
Meeting documents
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Bill information comes from public records published by the Office of the Revisor of Statutes, the Minnesota House and the Minnesota Senate. AI summaries are written by MinneSlate and are not official. MinneSlate is independent and is not affiliated with the State of Minnesota or the Minnesota Legislature.
Progress through the legislative process
In Committee