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The following is a list of legislative activities compiled by the Center for Connected Health Policy (CCHP) for telehealth and telemedicine within the South Central region (AR, MS, and TN). Please Note: CCHP has a pending legislation/regulation web page located at the following link: http://cchpca.org/state-laws-and-reimbursement-policies

LEGISLATION

Dead Legislation/Session Ended

StateBill NumberStatusSummary
MississippiHB 7991/30/18: Died
in committee
Provides that health insurance companies and employee benefit plans may limit telemedicine coverage to health care providers in network with the plan instead of in a telemedicine network approved by the plan; revises the definition of store and forward telemedicine services for the purposes of coverage and reimbursement for those services; revises the criteria for qualifying patients for remote patient monitoring services.
MississippiHB 11301/30/18: Died in committeeAllows telemedicine providers to provide substance use disorder treatment.
MississippiHB 12291/16/18: To House Committee on MedicaidAuthorizes House and Senate Medicaid Committees to hire a third-party consultant to review the Mississippi Medicaid program to improve efficiency and eliminate waste, including the optimization of the use of telemedicine.
MississippiSB 28402/27/18: Died in committeeAuthorizes telemedicine providers to provide treatment of substance use disorders, including medication-assisted
treatment.
MississippiSB 29041/30/18: Died in committeeRevises the provision which authorizes health care providers to offer telemedicine services; provides definitions and conditions on providers offering telemedicine services; authorizes the state board of medical licensure to promulgate rules relating to
telemedicine with certain exceptions.
TennesseeSB 2410/HB 24193/27/18: Assigned to General Subcommittee of Local Government CommitteeThe comptroller of the treasury shall study the feasibility of establishing an enterprise zone pilot project in the Orange Mound community in Shelby County. The pilot project would provide incentives for independent senior living facilities that would support independence for seniors by enabling them to receive telehealth services at home, and it would provide incentives to businesses and other entities that increase access to fresh produce and other health food for residents of the enterprise zone pilot project. The comptroller shall report findings, along with any recommendations, to the members of the general assembly no later than January 15, 2019.
TennesseeHB 5183/21/18: Taken off notice for cal in s/c Health SubcommitteeRequires the commissioner of health to study and report on recommendations for legislation concerning telehealth and telemedicine under existing statute. The recommendations must examine the need for improving the effective use of telemedicine and telehealth among healthcare providers and insurers.
TennesseeSB 6013/20/18: Deferred to Summer Study.Requires the commissioner of health to study and report on recommendations for legislation concerning telehealth and telemedicine under existing statute. The recommendations must examine the need for improving the effective use of telemedicine and telehealth among healthcare providers and insurers.
TennesseeHB 17473/14/18: Taken off notice for cal in s/c Health SubcommitteeAdds trained and licensed education personnel to those persons who may staff telehealth services at school site.
TennesseeSB 17783/12/18: In Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor: Referred to General SubcommitteeAdds trained and licensed education personnel to those persons who may staff telehealth services at a school site.
TennesseeSB 20323/13/18: In Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor: Referred to General SubcommitteeRelates to Healthcare Liability; requires the commissioner of health to study and report on recommendations for legislation concerning telehealth and telemedicine under existing statutes to the health committee of the house of representatives and the Health and Welfare Committee of the senate by January 15, 2019.
TennesseeHB 20912/28/18: Taken off notice for calendar in House Health Sub CommitteeRelates to Healthcare Liability; requires the commissioner of health to study and report on recommendations for legislation concerning telehealth and telemedicine under existing statutes to the health committee of the house of representatives and the Health and Welfare Committee of the senate by January 15, 2019.

REGULATION

Pending Regulation

StateRegulation CitationStatusSummary
Arkansas016.06.18-0034/6/18: Proposed
Comment Deadline: 5/8/18
Title: Telemedicine Services
Agency: Division of Medical Services
Amends rules to include Telemedicine general policy.
MississippiPart 2635, Chapter 5, Rule 5.712/11/17: Proposed rule
Comment Deadline: 12/5/18
Title: Telemedicine
Agency: Board of Medical Licensure
Amends rules to include Level Two Hospital Trauma Centers as it relates to exceptions for requirements for 24 hour coverage.

Adopted Regulation

StateBill NumberStatusSummary
Arkansas016.06.179/20/17: Rule adoption
Effective: 9/30/17
Title: Provider-Led Arkansas Shared Savings Entities
Agency: Division of Medical Services
A new Provider-Led Arkansas Shared Savings Entity (PASSE) Program policy manual is available for all PASSE providers. Provides a definition for telemedicine and allows the required face-to-face encounter for care coordinators to take place over telemedicine.
Arkansas067.00.1712/19/17: Adopted
Effective: 12/29/17
Title: Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
Agency: Board of Nursing
Amends rules regarding advanced practice registered nurse. Creates telemedicine standards for the profession.
MississippiTitle 23, Part 225, Ch. 1, Rule 1.2, .55/29/18: Rule Adopted
Effective: 7/1/18
Title: General Provider Information; Reimbursement
Agency: Division of Medicaid
Revises Mississippi Medicaid’s reimbursement for telehealth delivered services. Amends rule to add Board Certified Behavior Analysts and Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctorals as a provider of Autism Spectrum Disorder services to EPSDT-eligible beneficiaries within their scope of practice via telehealth services. Telehealth services will allow EPSDT-eligible beneficiaries easier access to receive ASD services without having to travel to another geographical site.
TennesseeTAC 0800-2-17-.1-.2511/27/17: Rule Adopted
Effective: 2/25/18
Title: Rules for Medical Payments
Agency: Division of Workers’ Compensation
For telehealth, states that the definitions, licensing and processes for the purpose of these rules shall be the same as adopted by the Tennessee Department of Health. Reimbursement will be based upon the applicable Medicare guidelines and coding for the different service providers.