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- Title
Study of Participating and Nonparticipating States' Telemedicine Medicaid Reimbursement Status: Its Impact on Idaho's Policymaking Process.
- Authors
Gayle A. Gray; B. Hudnall Stamm; Sarah Toevs; Uwe Reischl; Diane Yarrington
- Abstract
Although Medicare currently reimburses for telemedicine services, advocates are strugglingto increase state Medicaid reimbursement. This study provides data from a national study ofMedicaid telemedicine reimbursement policies and examines Idaho as a case study for developingtelemedicine reimbursement policies. Idahoans have actively advocated for Medicaidtelemedicine reimbursement by forming a statewide network. Working with policymakers,Idaho Medicaid and telemedicine advocates established interpersonal connections,providing policymakers information and support. With developing academic, private, andlegislative interest, a window of opportunity opened to allow for positive, albeit minimal,movement. To establish protocols for Idaho's use of telemedicine, a national electronic policysurvey was conducted to evaluate the direction of telemedicine policy in state Medicaidagencies. Surveys to explore Medicaid reimbursement status were sent to states that were bothparticipating and non-participating in telemedicine. Responses were received from 10 of the25 states providing Medicaid telemedicine reimbursement and 17 of the 25 states and one U.S.territory not providing reimbursement. Issues common among participating states includedprovider and reimbursement complications, allowable services, and modification of reimbursementcodes. Nonparticipating states indicated an interest in reimbursing for telemedicineand a need to enhance advocate and state Medicaid agency relationships. In addition,the survey results demonstrated the need to provide cost–benefit analysis on the viability ofMedicaid reimbursement for telemedicine. Research outcomes were used to develop Idaho'sInteractive Video Telemedicine Protocols. These address identified barriers and fears regardingMedicare reimbursement and state budgetary concerns—the additional major issue identifiedfor state Medicaid agencies.
- Subjects
TELEMEDICINE; MEDICAID; HEALTH insurance reimbursement; HEALTH policy
- Publication
Telemedicine & e-Health, 2006, Vol 12, Issue 6, p681
- ISSN
1530-5627
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1089/tmj.2006.12.681