Amends TCA Title 56 and Section 63-1-155.

Present law generally requires health insurance entities to reimburse for healthcare services provided during a telehealth encounter or a provider-based telemedicine encounter in a manner that is consistent with what the health insurance policy or contract provides for in-person encounters for the same service. Such requirement is scheduled to be repealed on April 1, 2022. This bill removes the repeal date.<br /> <br /> This bill clarifies that present law authorizing a healthcare provider to provide telehealth services when acting within the scope of a valid health care professional license does not prohibit a healthcare provider otherwise acting within the scope of practice of a valid health care professional license from delivering services through the use of telehealth.<br /> <br /> Under present law, one requirement for provider-based telemedicine (including the coverage mandate for such services) is that the healthcare services provider's practice group, or the healthcare system has established a provider-patient relationship by submitting to a health insurance entity evidence of an in-person encounter between the healthcare service provider, the healthcare services provider's practice group, or the healthcare system and the patient within 16 months prior to the interactive visit. This bill tolls such in-person encounter requirement for the duration of a state of emergency declared by the governor.<br /> <br /> ON FEBRUARY 28, 2022, THE HOUSE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED HOUSE BILL 2655, AS AMENDED.<br /> <br /> AMENDMENT #1 adds that the provision for tolling the in-person encounter requirement during a state of emergency applies if the healthcare services provider or the patient, or both, are located in the geographical area covered by the applicable state of emergency.<br />