For Immediate Release
Washington, DC – The ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC) has asked the Connecticut General Assembly Joint Committee on Public Health to eliminate provisions in House Bill 5299 that would artificially inflate the cost of telemedicine by imposing government requirements on reimbursement rates.
In written testimony submitted to the Committee, ERIC states reimbursement rates should be negotiated between providers and insurers, not mandated by the government. It argues that payment parity in telemedicine is not necessary because it allows specialists to stay in one location and focus on treating patients rather than on travel time, saves practitioners money on overhead costs, and reduces lost revenue when patients miss appointments.
“Telemedicine is not only convenient, but it also has tremendous cost savings potential, so it is illogical to require that it cost the same as traditional in-house care.” said Adam Greathouse, Senior Health Policy Associate, ERIC. “ERIC is hopeful that the Committee will make the requested change.”
In its comments, ERIC states if the change in parity language is not made, it will oppose the legislation.
Click here to read ERIC’s testimony.