Effective Now Until June 30, 2023
The following providers in another state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia, that provide telehealth services pursuant to his or her authority under any relevant order issued by the Commissioner of Public Health, and maintains professional liability insurance or other indemnity against liability for professional malpractice in an amount that is equal to or greater than that required for similarly licensed, certified or registered Connecticut health care providers, are considered a telehealth provider:
- Physician
- Physician assistant
- Physical therapist or physical therapist assistant
- Chiropractor
- Naturopath
- Podiatrist
- Occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant
- Optometrist
- Registered nurse or advanced practice registered nurse
- Psychologist
- Marital and family therapist
- Clinical social worker
- Master social worker
- Alcohol and drug counselor
- Professional counselor
- Dietitian-nutritionist
- Speech and language pathologist
- Respiratory care practitioner
- Audiologist
- Pharmacist
- Paramedic
- Nurse-midwife
- Dentist
- Behavior analyst
- Genetic counselor
- Music therapist
- Art therapist
- Athletic trainer
Effective Now Until June 30, 2024
Ending on June 30, 2024, any Connecticut entity, institution or health care provider that engages or contracts with a telehealth provider that is licensed, certified or registered in another state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia to provide health care or other health services shall verify the credentials of such provider in the state in which he or she is licensed, certified or registered, ensure that such a provider is in good standing in such state, and confirm that such provider maintains professional liability insurance or other indemnity against liability for professional malpractice in an amount that is equal to or greater than that required for similarly licensed, certified or registered Connecticut health care providers.
Ending on June 30, 2024, the Commissioner of Public Health may temporarily waive, modify or suspend any regulatory requirements adopted by the Commissioner of Public Health or any boards or commissions as the Commissioner of Public Health deems necessary to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and to protect the public health for the purpose of providing residents of this state with telehealth services from out-of-state practitioners.
SOURCE: HB 5596 (2021 Session) & SB 2 (2022 Session). (Accessed Feb. 2023).
*See COVID-19 Licensing Section in regard to any effective temporary orders.
Effective July 1, 2022
The Commissioner of Public Health may issue an order authorizing telehealth providers who are not licensed, certified or registered to practice in this state to provide telehealth services to patients in this state. Such order may be of limited duration and limited to one or more types of providers described in subdivision (13) of subsection (a) of section 1 of public act 21-9, as amended by this act, or subdivision (12) of subsection (a) of section 19a906 of the general statutes, as amended by this act. The commissioner may impose conditions including, but not limited to, a requirement that any telehealth provider providing telehealth services to patients in this state pursuant to such order shall submit an application for licensure, certification or registration, as applicable. The commissioner may suspend or revoke any authorization provided pursuant to this section to a telehealth provider who violates any condition imposed by the commissioner or applicable requirements for the provision of telehealth services under the law. Any such order issued pursuant to this section shall not constitute a regulation, as defined in section 4-166 of the general statutes.
SOURCE: SB 2 (2022 Session), Sec. 33 (Accessed Feb. 2023).
Out-of-State Surgery
Physicians rendering inpatient surgical services for a CMAP member must ensure the hospital has submitted and obtained an approved prior authorization for the inpatient surgery. Once the hospital has an approved authorization on file for the CMAP member, the member is eligible to receive their pre- and/or post-surgical consultations via telemedicine. Any telemedicine service related to the surgery must be rendered by the Out-of-State (OOS) provider who will be performing the surgery. All telemedicine services must be clinically appropriate and medically necessary. Pre/Post surgery instructions are not eligible for reimbursement via telemedicine.
SOURCE: CT Medical Assistance Program, Provider Bulletin 2020-09 (March 2020), p. 4. (Accessed Feb. 2023).
Border Hospital Reimbursement
The Department of Social Services (DSS) is notifying border and out-of-state (OOS) hospitals that the rates and parameters for reimbursement of inpatient and outpatient hospital services, provided to Connecticut Medicaid members, have been updated effective for dates of discharges on or after January 1, 2023.
SOURCE: CT Medical Assistance Program, Provider Bulletin 2022-95 (Dec. 20220), p. 1. (Accessed Feb. 2023).
The Commissioner of Public Health, in consultation with the Commissioner of Early Childhood, shall develop and implement a plan to establish licensure by reciprocity or endorsement of a person who (1) is (A) a speech and language pathologist licensed or certified to provide speech and language pathology services, or entitled to provide speech and language pathology services under a different designation, in another state having requirements for practicing in such capacity that are substantially similar to or higher than the requirements in force in this state, or (B) an occupational therapist licensed or certified to provide occupational therapy services, or entitled to provide occupational therapy services under a different designation, in another state having requirements for practicing in such capacity that are substantially similar to or higher than the requirements in force in this state, (2) has no disciplinary action or unresolved complaint pending against such person, and (3) intends to provide early intervention services under the employment of an early intervention service program participating in the birth-to-three program established pursuant to section 17a-248b of the general statutes.
When developing and implementing such plan, the Commissioner of Public Health shall consider eliminating barriers to the expedient licensure of such persons in order to immediately address the needs of children receiving early intervention services under the birthto-three program. The provisions of any interstate licensure compact regarding a speech and language pathologist or occupational therapist adopted by the state shall supersede any program of licensure by reciprocity or endorsement implemented under this section for such speech and language pathologist or occupational therapist.
On or before January 1, 2023, the Commissioner of Public Health shall (1) implement the plan to establish licensure by reciprocity or endorsement, and (2) report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health and children regarding such plan and recommendations for any necessary legislative changes related to such plan.
SOURCE: SB 2 (2022 Session), Sec. 26. (Accessed Feb. 2023).
Effective July 1, 2024
A telehealth provider also is to include an appropriately licensed, certified or registered provider as listed below in another state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia, who (i) provides telehealth services under any relevant order issued pursuant to section 33 of this act, (ii) provides mental or behavioral health care through the use of telehealth within such person’s scope of practice and in accordance with the standard of care applicable to the profession, and (iii) maintains professional liability insurance, or other indemnity against liability for professional malpractice, in an amount that is equal to or greater than that required for similarly licensed, certified or registered Connecticut mental or behavioral health care providers:
- physician
- naturopath
- registered nurse
- advanced practice registered nurse
- physician assistant
- psychologist
- marital and family therapist
- clinical social worker
- master social worker
- alcohol and drug counselor
- professional counselor
- dietitian-nutritionist
- nurse-midwife
- behavior analyst
- music therapist
- art therapist
SOURCE: SB 2 (2022 Session), Sec. 30. (Accessed Feb. 2023).
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