The Florida Legislature’s plan to create new telemedicine standards is focusing on insurance reimbursements and licensing requirements, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
A bill, proposed by Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, would require insurance reimbursement for telemedicine be equal to in-person services. Bur groups including the Associated Industries of Florida worry about restricting free-market negotiations between providers and insurance companies, the Times reports.
The bill also would include rules for registering out-of-state telemedicine providers. A Florida Medical Association representative told the Times that telemedicine should be performed by licensed physicians.
Telemedicine already is part of the practice at institutions such as Tampa's Moffitt Cancer Center, and the Ryder Trauma Center at Miami’s Jackson Memorial Hospital. There, most telehealth care is provided to international patients, the Times reports.