Virginia Expands Telehealth Coverage During COVID-19 Emergency

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam has signed legislation that amends the Commonwealth’s telehealth laws to eliminate originating site restrictions and the requirement that the patient be accompanied by a care provider during the telehealth session.

HB 5046/SB 5080 is designed to improve access to and coverage of connected health services during the coronavirus pandemic, when many health systems are reducing or eliminating in-person services and looking to telehealth and mHealth to provide care at home or in other settings. The law took effect immediately (on Northam’s recommendation) and will remain in place through July 1, 2021.

The bill expands the telehealth platform to allow care providers to treat patients in their own homes or other locations, including businesses, schools and clinics. It also mandates that payers cover telehealth services regardless of the originating site and whether a provider is with the patient, and directs the state Medicaid program to continue covering audio-only phone services.

With the bill – part of Northam’s revised state budget, which he negotiated with lawmakers during a special session begun on August 18 – Virginia joins a growing list of state and federal governments and agencies relaxing telehealth coverage and rules to address the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

Separately, as part of the budget package, Northam has approved the allocation of $30 million in CARES Act funding to improve broadband access in underserved regions. Internet connectivity is often cited as a significant barrier to telehealth expansion in rural and remote areas, affecting both consumers trying to access services and health systems looking to expand their platforms.