State Representative Christine Palm (D-36) Informs Community

ESSEX, CHESTER, DEEP RIVER, CT — A Letter from State Representative Christine Palm to the community:

Dear Neighbor,

Although some have questioned the number of Executive Orders issued by Gov. Lamont over the past pandemic year, the extension of Telehealth services is an example of why the Legislature voted to extend his authority until the end of April. Being a "deliberative body" the General Assembly cannot turn on a dime and sometimes that means we can't respond immediately to a crisis. The Governor, however, can.

Telehealth services – which have provided safe and secure options for healthcare professionals to treat patients during the pandemic – have been expanded and extended through an executive order signed over the weekend by Governor Lamont.

Executive Order No. 10C extends the provisions codified by Public Act 20-2 and includes the following:

• Allows certain telehealth providers to offer audio-only services by telephone;
• Allows certain providers to use additional technologies, such as certain third-party video communication applications, like Zoom;
• Develop requirements for telehealth providers seeking payment from uninsured or underinsured patients;
• Requires insurance coverage for telehealth services and prohibits providers reimbursed for services from seeking payment from an insured patient beyond cost sharing;
• Prohibits insurance policies from excluding coverage for a telehealth platform selected by an in-network provider;
• Prohibits insurance carriers from reducing reimbursement to a provider because services are provided through telehealth instead of in-person;
• Modifies requirements for pharmacies transferring unfilled prescriptions for controlled substances that were electronically transmitted.

The executive order modifies and extends Act 20-2 through April 20, 2021, the date the governor's emergency powers are set to expire.

Telehealth services have been beneficial in slowing the spread of COVID-19 by enabling providers and patients to stay socially distant through technology and I hope these services will remain in place for the duration of the pandemic and beyond.

Please help me reach your neighbors, who may be in need, by forwarding this email to them. Feel free to contact me by email at Christine.Palm@cga.ct.gov with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Christine Palm
State Representative