HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Senate today approved legislation aimed at expanding the use of telemedicine in Pennsylvania, according to Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23).
“Delivering health care services via advanced virtual technologies is a huge benefit in rural areas,” Yaw said. “It enables physicians to treat patients and increases the opportunities for access to care when there aren’t enough providers available.”
Telemedicine is the remote delivery of health care services and medical information using telecommunications technology. It allows medical services to be provided to some of the most vulnerable Pennsylvanians who otherwise would not be able to receive them due to location or other circumstances. It saw rapid growth in Pennsylvania during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Senate Bill 739 requires insurance providers or managed care organizations to reimburse health care providers for services provided to a patient through telemedicine. Services provided through telemedicine must meet the same standard of care as health care services provided in person.
The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.
For more state-related news and information, constituents can visit Senator Yaw’s website at www.SenatorGeneYaw.com or on Facebook and Twitter @SenatorGeneYaw.
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Elizabeth Weitzel
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