LEGISLATIVE, LEGAL AND POLICY ISSUES IN TELEMEDICINE

Background on Selected Legislative Issues

• Hospital Leases tele-ECG Units to Ambulance Company: OIG Opinion 01-5
  On May 24, 2001 the U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) posted an advisory opinion, 01-5, with implications for emergency telemedicine care in ambulances.
• HCFA Telemedicine Reimbursement Data, 1999-2000
  While the health care industry awaits HCFA's proposed rules (pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2001) to refine telemedicine reimbursement, data has been obtained that shows just how ineffective its first attempt was.
• Medicare Reimbursement Update 2001
  Understand the details about HCFA's first attempt at Medicare reimbursement for teleconsultations, and learn about new provisions which passed Congress December 2000.
• Implications of HIPAA's Privacy Rule For Telemedicine
  The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is comprised of seven standards. This article examines the second standard, privacy of health information, and examines how it might impact telemedicine encounters.
• Oregon Licensure
  Administrative rules threaten interstate telemedicine in Oregon.
• Florida Licensure
  Learn about a May 2000 Florida effort regarding licensure for telemedicine practioners.
• Interstate Licensure
  Discover the issues that are involved with interstate telemedicine licensure.
• Medicaid Reimbursement
  Learn about telemedicine reimbursement through Medicaid, which was approved in at least 14 U.S. states in 1999.
• Two Inspector General Opinions on Anti-Kickback Concerns
  In November 1998 and December 1999, the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued two opinions that focused exclusively on telemedicine. Both opinions center on the aspect of equipment and other benefits shared between hub sites, spoke sites and practitioners, and the overarching theme is the avoidance of providing kickbacks for referrals.
• Medicare Reimbursement
  Understand the details about Medicare reimbursing health care providers for teleconsultations
• Privacy of Health Information
  Summary of the role of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA, Public Law 104-191) on the practice of telemedicine as well as the tensions between privacy advocates and commercial health care interests.
• Universal Service
  Get up to speed with a summary of where Universal Services has come from and how rural health care providers can benefit.

Page last updated on Monday, May 20, 2002