Oregon, Payers Negotiate Telehealth Coverage, Including Payment Parity, Into 2021

Oregon’s state government has forged agreements with nine payers to extend emergency telehealth coverage – including payment parity – through at least June of 2021.

The extension follows the guidelines of emergency measures enacted in March to expand telehealth access and coverage during the coronavirus pandemic. In June, the state negotiated with payers to continue that coverage through the end of 2020.

Oregon is one of several states that have extended those freedoms, either to a certain date or for as long as the federal government’s public health emergency is in effect.

“It is vital for Oregonians to continue to use telehealth services to limit physical contact during this public health emergency,” Insurance Commissioner and Department of Consumer and Business Services Director Andrew Stolfi said in a press release. “Telehealth allows for Oregonians to get important care, often from the comfort of their home. I want to thank the insurance carriers that have joined us in this agreement to provide expanded telehealth services and pay parity for Oregonians.”

UnitedHealthcare, Kaiser Permanente, Regence, Cambia, Health Net, Providence, PacificSource, Moda and Samaritan have all agreed to the extension. In addition, the Oregon Health Plan has pledged to continue reimbursing at the same rate as in-person care for physical and behavioral care and some dental and long-term care services.

The agreement doesn’t apply to self-insured plans, though the state is asking those health plans to cover connected health services for its members during the pandemic.

This deal is unique in that state officials negotiated agreements with the payers, rather than mandating coverage through emergency actions. While payment parity for telehealth has helped expand coverage during the pandemic, many payers are opposed to the concept over the long run, wanting instead to negotiate coverage with providers.