Out-of-state telehealth visits could expand access to care

A study found that permanently relaxing state restrictions to allow telehealth visits out of state would likely offer immediate convenience to patients who live near a state border, as well as those receiving primary care and mental health treatment. Patients living in rural areas and in counties with relatively few physicians would also benefit from relaxed telemedicine restrictions, the authors noted. Published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Health Forum, the cross-sectional study found that 5% of Medicare patients (422,547) had an out-of-state telemedicine visit in the first half of 2021. During 2021, many patients received clinical care after lockdowns ended, but states still allowed physicians without a license in their state to provide telehealth care to their residents. Many states have since restored the restrictions. (JAMA Health Forum study, 9/16/22)