Parity

SERVICE PARITY

Temporary Policy

For the period beginning on the effective date of P.L.2021, c.310 and ending on July 1, 2026, a health benefits plan in this State shall provide coverage and payment for health care services delivered to a covered person through telemedicine or telehealth at a provider reimbursement rate that equals the provider reimbursement rate that is applicable, when the services are delivered through in-person contact and consultation in New Jersey, provided the services are otherwise covered by the health benefits plan when delivered through in person contact and consultation in New Jersey. The requirements of this subsection shall not apply to:

1. a health care service provided by a telemedicine or telehealth organization that does not provide the health care service on an in person basis in New Jersey; or
2. a physical health care service that was provided through real-time, two-way audio without a video component, whether or not utilized in combination with asynchronous store-and-forward technology, including through audio-only telephone conversation. The reimbursement rate for a physical health care service that is subject to this paragraph shall be determined under the contract with the provider; provided that the reimbursement rate for a physical health care service when provided through audio-only telephone conversation shall be at least 50 percent of the reimbursement rate for the service when provided in person.
3. The provisions of paragraph (2) of this subsection shall not apply to a behavioral health service that was provided through real time, two-way audio without a video component, whether or not utilized in combination with asynchronous store-and-forward technology, including audio-only telephone conversation. A behavioral health care service described in this paragraph shall be reimbursed at a rate that equals the provider reimbursement rate for the service when provided in person.

SOURCE: P.L.2021, c.310 as amended by A3853 (2024 Legislative Session). (Accessed Jan. 2026).

Permanent Policy

A carrier that offers a health benefits plan in this State shall provide coverage and payment for health care services delivered to a covered person through telemedicine or telehealth, on the same basis as, and at a provider reimbursement rate that does not exceed the provider reimbursement rate that is applicable, when the services are delivered through in-person contact and consultation in New Jersey, provided the services are otherwise covered under the plan when delivered through in-person contact and consultation in New Jersey. Reimbursement payments under this section may be provided either to the individual practitioner who delivered the reimbursable services, or to the agency, facility, or organization that employs the individual practitioner who delivered the reimbursable services, as appropriate.

A health care plan is not prohibited from providing coverage only for services that are medically necessary, subject to the terms and conditions of the plan.

A health care plan may not require a covered person to use telemedicine or telehealth in lieu of receiving an in-person service from an in-network provider.

SOURCE: NJ Statute C.26:2S-29, (Accessed Jan. 2026).

The above also applies to contracts purchased by the State Health Benefits Commission and the School Employees’ Health Benefits Commission.

SOURCE: NJ Statute C.52:14-17.29w & C.52:14-17.46.6h. (Accessed Jan. 2026).

PAYMENT PARITY

Temporary Policy

For the period beginning on the effective date of P.L.2021, c.310 and ending on July 1, 2026, a health benefits plan in this State shall provide coverage and payment for health care services delivered to a covered person through telemedicine or telehealth at a provider reimbursement rate that equals the provider reimbursement rate that is applicable, when the services are delivered through in-person contact and consultation in New Jersey, provided the services are otherwise covered by the health benefits plan when delivered through in person contact and consultation in New Jersey. The requirements of this subsection shall not apply to:

1. a health care service provided by a telemedicine or telehealth organization that does not provide the health care service on an in person basis in New Jersey; or
2. a physical health care service that was provided through real-time, two-way audio without a video component, whether or not utilized in combination with asynchronous store-and-forward technology, including through audio-only telephone conversation. The reimbursement rate for a physical health care service that is subject to this paragraph shall be determined under the contract with the provider; provided that the reimbursement rate for a physical health care service when provided through audio-only telephone conversation shall be at least 50 percent of the reimbursement rate for the service when provided in person.
3. The provisions of paragraph (2) of this subsection shall not apply to a behavioral health service that was provided through real time, two-way audio without a video component, whether or not utilized in combination with asynchronous store-and-forward technology, including audio-only telephone conversation. A behavioral health care service described in this paragraph shall be reimbursed at a rate that equals the provider reimbursement rate for the service when provided in person.

SOURCE: P.L.2021, c.310 as amended by A3853 (2024 Legislative Session). (Accessed Jan. 2026).

Permanent Policy

A carrier that offers a health benefits plan in this State shall provide coverage and payment for health care services delivered to a covered person through telemedicine or telehealth, on the same basis as, and at a provider reimbursement rate that does not exceed the provider reimbursement rate that is applicable, when the services are delivered through in-person contact and consultation in New Jersey, provided the services are otherwise covered under the plan when delivered through in-person contact and consultation in New Jersey. Reimbursement payments under this section may be provided either to the individual practitioner who delivered the reimbursable services, or to the agency, facility, or organization that employs the individual practitioner who delivered the reimbursable services, as appropriate.

A carrier may limit coverage to services that are delivered by health care providers in the health benefits plan’s network, but may not charge any deductible, copayment, or coinsurance for a health care service, delivered through telemedicine or telehealth, in an amount that exceeds the deductible, copayment, or coinsurance amount that is applicable to an in-person consultation.

SOURCE: NJ Statute C.26:2S-29 (Accessed Jan. 2026). 

The above also applies to contracts purchased by the State Health Benefits Commission and the School Employees’ Health Benefits Commission.

SOURCE: NJ Statute C.52:14-17.29w & C.52:14-17.46.6h. (Accessed Jan. 2026). 

The Commissioner of Health shall conduct a study to assess whether or to what extent coverage and payment for health care services delivered to a covered person through telemedicine or telehealth should be reimbursed at a provider reimbursement rate that equals the provider reimbursement rate that is applicable, when the services are delivered through in-person contact and consultation in New Jersey, as well as to assess whether telemedicine and telehealth may be appropriately used to satisfy network adequacy requirements applicable to health benefits plans in New Jersey. See statute for details.

SOURCE: NJ S2559 (P.L. 2021, c.310). (Accessed Jan. 2026).