Proposal in the Missouri Legislature would allow medical providers to use any platform for telehealth service

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KY3) – Under a piece of legislation set to be discussed by Missouri lawmakers Monday, the state would not be able to limit which specific platforms can be used by medical providers to deliver remote, digital healthcare services, also known as “telehealth.”

“Health care providers shall not be limited in their choice of electronic platforms used to deliver telehealth or telemedicine, provided that all services delivered are in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996,” the legislation’s key line states.

“What massively drove this was the pandemic time, where people were more isolated, and they were kind of forced to use this,” said bill sponsor State Rep. Mike Stephens, a Republican from Bolivar. “Especially mental health care, it seemed to have the greatest benefit.”

Supporters of the bill contend that it would codify a well-established method for delivering medical consultation and evaluation, particularly benefitting those in rural areas of the state where healthcare providers are more scarce.

The bill also allows services to be provided over the telephone, which some opponents of the measure say will create an avenue for abuse and fraud.

Opponents have also raised concerns that the lack of contact between a medical professional and their patient in an audio-only visit may lead to malpractice or malpractice claims.

Supporters point out that the policy only provides audio-only telehealth care as an option and maintains the ability of healthcare professionals to schedule in-person or video visits when the provider deems it necessary.

“This allows for the practitioner to be able to speak to the client or the patient and say, ‘This is a little bit more in depth and in detail than we can actually talk over the phone, so I’m going to go ahead and schedule an appointment for us to actually see each other face to face,’” said Tamitha Ague, a lobbyist representing the Missouri Psychological Association.

Ague also said the policy eliminates many patients’ barriers to seeking the mental healthcare they need.

“Because of the stigma of walking into a brick and mortar provider, a lot of people will say, ‘someone saw me possibly walk into that particular building,’ Ague said. “And, we know what that building provides a service for. I’m not saying anything about their brick and mortars, but we need to have options.”

Ague pointed to the suicide prevention hotline as an example of a familiar form of remote mental health care.

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