Collaborative policy development for advancing telehealth

The California Telemedicine & eHealth Center (CTEC), California's federally designated Telehealth Resource Center, has undertaken an innovative and precedent setting project to develop a reimbursement policy on telemedicine and telehealth that considers a full spectrum of services. Many stakeholders have identified reimbursement and payment issues as a critical aspect of telehealth that must be addressed to have telehealth fully integrated in the health care delivery system. While some inroads have been made, and both government and private payors have included provisions for certain telehealth payment, additional development and adoption is required. CTEC's Telehealth Optimization Initiative has been developed to help respond to California's growing need for expanded telehealth programs and the need for adequate and appropriate support structures. This collaborative brings together major stakeholders to develop recommendations on policy for appropriate payment and supporting structures. The desired outcome is the development of a policy report that incorporates all research, findings, alternatives and recommendations, as well as development of a policy brief that outlines the methodology, findings and recommendations targeted for an audience of policy makers. This project has been receiving nationwide attention for taking a broad approach to payment and for using a structured collaborative process.