Maryland Requires Private Insurance Companies To Cover Telehealth Services

On October 1, 2012, Maryland became the 14th state requiring private health plans to reimburse for telehealth services. The legislation, House Bill 1149, was signed into law by Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley on May 22, 2012, and applies to private for-profit insurers, non-profit health plans, and health maintenance organizations. The legislation also includes two provisions to study the use of telehealth in the criminal justice system and in the state’s Medicaid program. The state defines telehealth as “the use of interactive audio, video, or other telecommunications or electronic technology by a licensed health care provider to . . .