Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Donate your vehicle during the month of April or May and you'll be entered into a $500 Visa gift card drawing!

Gov. Sununu Signs Bill Cementing COVID-19 Telemedicine Rules Into State Law

PEXELS

Governor Chris Sununu has signed a bill that makes permanent some parts of the expanded telehealth system put in place for COVID-19.

The bill requires equal insurance coverage for medical visits done remotely and in person, including for Medicaid users.

Get stories about coronavirus in N.H. in your inbox - sign up for our newsletter today.

It also adds parameters for telehealth to state law, including spelling out where and how treatment can be given and received. 

Groups and advocates that joined a new state Health Care Consumers & Providers COVID-19 Coalition say the pandemic has jumpstarted a telemedicine system that's long overdue in New Hampshire.

“[I]t is clear telehealth has been a bright spot among a sea of change and is a tool that should become a standard element available for those who can benefit from it,” the coalition wrote in its comments on the bill this week.

They praised the bill's signing Wednesday, saying it'll increase patient access to care – especially for much-needed behavioral health services.

Annie has covered the environment, energy, climate change and the Seacoast region for NHPR since 2017. She leads the newsroom's climate reporting project, By Degrees.
Related Content

You make NHPR possible.

NHPR is nonprofit and independent. We rely on readers like you to support the local, national, and international coverage on this website. Your support makes this news available to everyone.

Give today. A monthly donation of $5 makes a real difference.