A few weeks ago I talked about the role of telehealth in promoting patient-centered health care. Recently, Oregon’s Senate Health Committee sent Senate Bill 144 to the floor (with unanimous, bipartisan support), moving telemedicine services beyond the hospital or clinic setting into a patient’s home. This bill was supported by collaborative efforts from the Telehealth Alliance of Oregon. If passed, this bill would require health insurance companies to cover and pay for services provided by a doctor or nurse practitioner remotely through secure video conferencing.
According to The Lund Report, “SB 144 would allow patients living in remote areas or simply without the time or means to easily visit a doctor’s office to see a primary care provider for simple visits or a mental health provider for therapy sessions — all without leaving the comfort of their home. It also provides opportunities for people to connect with a provider at work or school and be ensured that their health insurance will cover the cost.”
This specific type of service is not totally new in Oregon. State employees enrolled in the Public Employees Benefit Board in Salem (through Providence Health Systems) can receive worksite consultations with nurse practitioners. And a few prisons in Eastern Oregon are also taking advantage of this technology. This results in cost savings for the benefit board, as well as keeping employees on the job.
I’m proud to say that Oregon has been on the forefront of health innovation for a long time. Other states could benefit from some of these practices. Details of the bill can be found at: Oregon SB 144. InnovaHealth Innovations is an Oregon-based medical practice consultancy. To speak with our experienced practice coach, Roberta Kaplan, MPH, MS, PA, call: 503.341.0593.