MMA Priority Bill on Telehealth Passes House Commerce Committee

March 9, 2023

A bill that amends the statutory definition of telehealth to include audio-only telehealth services, along with audio and visual services, was heard in the House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee on March 7.  

The bill,  HF 1706 (Edelson, DFL – Edina), makes the coverage permanent. However, following the hearing, the author indicated that she intends to amend the bill to mirror Gov. Tim Walz’s recommendation to extend the sunset date for audio-only telehealth services from July 1, 2023, to 2025. 

The MMA submitted a letter of support for the bill, arguing that “continued coverage of telehealth services is essential to ensure that Minnesotans have access to high quality healthcare.” It went on to state that audio-only services are “particularly important for patients who do not have access to reliable internet or broadband connectivity, low-income patients who may not have access to video-only technology, or patients who are less comfortable using video-only services.” 

According to the Minnesota Department of Human Services, telehealth has been shown to increase access to care for adolescents, older patients, veterans, and individuals located in rural locations, and those who have transportation barriers and mobility issues. A recent Minnesota Department of Health and Human Services preliminary study showed that ethnic minority groups and rural tribal groups prefer telehealth that is provided by telephone and not via the internet.  The reason the governor recommends extending the sunset two more years is to allow time for the final report to be completed. 

The bill passed and was referred to the Health Finance and Policy Committee.