Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration published proposed regulations regarding telemedicine-based services in the Medicaid program. The Agency is soliciting comments through November 23 and will host a public rule development workshop on November 20 in Tallahassee.

Procedurally, the rules are intended to formalize telemedicine-related provisions to apply across specialty service areas as the Agency transitions away from its Coverage and Limitations Handbooks and instead implements service-specific coverage policies for the Medicaid program.

Yet, the rules also represent an important opportunity for the Agency to install reasonable, forward-thinking regulations designed to be flexible among the various coverage policies while encouraging (or at least, not discouraging) the use of innovative health technologies in the Medicaid program. With key revisions, the regulations can enable broad, accessible pathways for Floridians to receive health care services via telemedicine.

Members of Foley’s Telemedicine Practice prepared comments to the proposed rules. The comments applaud the Bureau of Medicaid Policy for addressing telemedicine, and suggest important revisions, including increasing the scope of professionals authorized to provide telemedicine services to Medicaid recipients.

Access a copy of Foley’s complete comments, including proposed revisions to the rules, here.

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