Share this Article

We want to share with you some highlights on telehealth from the current issue of the Massachusetts Medical Society’s Vital Signs This Week (September 13 2021):

Division of Insurance Releases New Telehealth Bulletin

On September 7 the Division of Insurance (DOI) released Bulletin 2021-10 relative to continued access to telehealth services in 2021. In the bulletin, DOI outlines parity requirements for certain types of health care services delivered via telehealth.

Noting the continued impact of COVID-19 on access to health care, the bulletin provides that carriers may maintain current rates of reimbursement for telehealth services beyond the September 13 expiration of across-the-board payment parity requirements.

Importantly, if a carrier elects to change their telehealth rates of reimbursement it must submit an implementation plan subject to approval by DOI and may not implement any changes to its telehealth rate policies or notify providers of any changes prior to undergoing the review process established under Bulletin 2021-10 and receiving DOI approval.

As of September 7, no carriers had submitted any implementation plans. These changes constitute a material change, requiring 60 days’ notice of such changes per Massachusetts general laws c.175 s.24B, and therefore any changes prior to 2022 are unlikely.

This bulletin applies to all fully insured commercial plans in the Commonwealth. The Medical Society understands MassHealth will take an alternative approach moving forward and will issue a separate bulletin outlining its payment policies.

For any questions, please contact Leda Anderson or Bissan Biary at MMS.

Join us in the Telehealth Immersion Program! Gain telehealth expertise and measure the value to your practice

Building on the Telehealth Initiative,  the MMS is rejoining the American Medical Association (AMA), the Physicians Foundation, and several state medical societies to support physicians interested in sustaining telehealth and measuring its impact in your practices. The Telehealth Immersion Program offers your practice a comprehensive curriculum and enhanced experience navigating telehealth with peers nationwide. Through curated webinars, interactive peer-to-peer learning sessions, virtual discussions, boot camps, and on-demand resources, the program provides foundational information plus deep dives into specific topics.

We will leverage the AMA Return on Health framework. Practices will receive the necessary tools for collecting data to measure the value of virtual care.

The program is open to all types and sizes of physician practices and requires a 12- to 16-month commitment. We invite you to submit a statement of interest and support. Please include acknowledgment and support from practice leadership and your practice name, location, practice size, specialty, and contact information.

Send your information and/or learn more by emailing Bissan Biary at MMS.

Posted September 14, 2021 by Meghan Stanley, Physicians Insurance