Telehealth Payment Parity

Governor Inslee signed a proclamation today (March 26, 2020) that provides payment parity between health care services provided in-person and those provided through telemedicine.

In order to serve more patients, Inslee has signed a measure that would require parity in payment between in-person health care visits and those provided using telemedicine. Telemedicine claims must now be reimbursed at the same rate as care delivered face-to-face. Telemedicine claims cannot be denied by health insurance companies.

SB 5385, passed by the legislature would do the same thing, but it doesn’t take effect until January 2021. The governor’s action will allow the law to go into effect immediately to help increase access to care during the coronavirus outbreak.