Texas drafts changes to telemedicine restriction

CORRECTED: An earlier version of this story misstated the provisions in a proposed rule related to telemedicine services for injured workers in Texas.

The Texas Division of Workers Compensation on Friday posted a proposed rule that would allow injured workers to receive telemedicine services without location restrictions.

Telemedicine services are currently authorized in the Texas workers compensation system and follow Medicare payment policies. But these services have been available under a requirement that such services be furnished to injured workers at an originating site located in an area where there is a shortage of health professionals.  

The proposed rule would adopt an exception to the Medicare requirements by allowing a health care provider to bill and be reimbursed for telemedicine services regardless of where the injured employee is located at the time the telemedicine services are provided. 

Public comments on the proposed rule are due on April 2.