Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has signed two telehealth bills, crucial to expanding access to health care during the COVID-19 crisis, into law before the close of the legislative session.
Senate Bill 402/House Bill 448 allow Maryland residents to access a telehealth provider by using either audio or video. Previously, telehealth interactions required the use of both audio and video for the initial visit – making telehealth use essentially impossible for patients who lack sufficient broadband access or the means to own needed technology.
Last week, ERIC appealed to the Governor to sign the bills before the legislature shut down on April 6. ERIC argued that the state’s restrictive technology requirements only served to prevent new forms of telehealth technology, which are desperately needed in light of COVID-19, from being quickly implemented.
For more information on ERIC’s efforts, click here.
Article by Carly Sternberg, Health Policy Associate