Telehealth - Legal & Compliance Considerations and Operationalization for Employers Post-Pandemic

Abstract

Telehealth has a unique value proposition that can provide safe and effective access for people to connect with their healthcare providers in both rural and urban areas, both domestic and global. With 60 million people living in rural areas in the United States, telehealth is viewed as a critical healthcare tool that depends upon telecommunication and digital technologies to satisfy the needs of underserved areas for healthcare and education.  In today's modern healthcare era, telehealth offers healthcare providers and individuals more accessible healthcare; however, there appears to be underutilization of telehealth in employer health plans or programs.  Expanding telehealth programs for employers requires a thorough evaluation of transactional relationships and program structures to minimize risk and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.  This is especially so as telehealth expands the universe of involved parties from healthcare providers to intermediaries, such as technology service providers.  In partnership with telehealth service providers and vendors, employers should work towards improving employees and their family's health and wellbeing, reducing risks, and overcoming known disparities and inequities in healthcare delivery.