HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	92
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

urging the department of Health to perform a feasibility study of the benefits of authorizing REIMBURSEMENT FOR SERVICES PROVIDED THROUGH TELEHEALTH BY WAY OF audio-only TELEPHONIC communication.

 

 

 

        WHEREAS, telehealth has served as a lifeline of access to essential health care services for residents with adequate broadband coverage and offers an affordable, convenient option for patients; and

 

        WHEREAS, however, many Hawaii residents who live in rural and underprivileged communities are often cut off from receiving essential health care through telehealth because they lack the broadband coverage necessary to access this care; and

 

        WHEREAS, furthermore, elderly residents and others who may have limited digital literacy may have difficulties accessing telehealth services through the Internet; and

 

        WHEREAS, the use of standard telephone contact in telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the effectiveness of this tool as a mode of essential health care delivery, especially for residents living in rural, isolated, and underprivileged communities; and

 

        WHEREAS, medical professionals have used standard telephone contacts for decades to provide necessary access to primary care when a patient is homebound or otherwise unable to access in-person or face-to-face care; and

 

        WHEREAS, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services continues to authorize coverage of audio-only (telephone) telehealth services used in the treatment of mental health and substance abuse in certain circumstances, allowing federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics to use telehealth to care for patients in patients' homes; and

 

        WHEREAS, it is important to ensure equitable access to telephonic and telehealth services for patients who are covered by private insurance with those who are covered by managed care plans; and

 

        WHEREAS, developing a provider reimbursement system that also incorporates reimbursement for telephonic services, including audio-only communication, would increase access to and encourage greater utilization of mental health services through telephonic telehealth; now, therefore,

 

        BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2023, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Health is urged to perform a feasibility study of the benefits of authorizing reimbursement for services provided through telehealth by way of audio-only telephonic communication; and

 

        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health is urged to report to the Legislature with the results of its feasibility study, including any proposed legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the Regular Session of 2024; and

 

        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:  

Telehealth; Audio-Only Telephonic Telehealth; Reimbursement; Department of Health; Feasibility Study