APA WF 23-14 Audio-only Telecommunications Health Service Delivery
The proposed policy changes are currently in effect as Emergency Rules and must be promulgated as Permanent Rules. The proposed policy was presented at the Tribal Consultation held on May 2, 2023, and to the Medical Advisory Committee on May 4, 2023. Additionally, this proposal will be presented at a Public Hearing scheduled for January 8, 2024, and are scheduled to be presented as Permanent Rules to the OHCA Board of Directors on January 17, 2024.
Please view the circulation document here: APA WF # 23-14 and submit feedback via the comment box below.
Circulation Date: 12/01/2023
Comment Due Date: 01/02/2024
Public Hearing: 01/08/2024
Board Meeting: 01/17/2024
Submit a Comment
After you submit your comment, you should be re-directed to a confirmation page. If you are not, please submit your comment through e-mail to federal.authorities@okhca.org.
Please note that all comments must be reviewed and approved prior to posting. Approved comments will be posted Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Any comments received after 4 p.m. will be posted on the following business day.
Comments
Audrey:
In favor of this rule - it is often difficult even if a visual device is available for many members to connect and often Telehealth is converted to audio only. This allows for these interactions to take place and reimbursement.
OHCA Response:
Thank you for the response. We appreciate your feedback.
Lynda:
I believe telephone-only behavioral health services should be allowed, since some members don’t have access to technology that supports video sessions.
OHCA Response:
Thank you for your input. OHCA will continue to ensure that eligible members receive services in a manner best suitable for them.
Kyle:
I am writing to comment in support of the permanent adoption of the Health Care Authority’s (OHCA) audio-only telehealth rule 317:30-3-27.1.
I applaud the OHCA’s attempt to permanently establish a more technology-neutral approach to telehealth in Oklahoma. Our organization believes that licensed practitioners should be able to utilize the full range of available telehealth technologies while delivering virtual care, so long as the technologies being used are appropriate to meet the standard of care for the condition presented by the patient. Amending the definition of telehealth to include audio-only services will make it much easier for patients and providers to interact with each other whenever and wherever they need to.
This provision will particularly help the Oklahomans who do not have access to the high-speed broadband capabilities necessary to operate audiovisual technologies. As an August, 2023 story notes on the Oklahoma Broadband Office website, “more than 700,000 Oklahomans lack access to high-speed internet service.” These individuals are more likely to live in rural areas and also receive services that are reimbursed by OHCA, making the permanent adoption of audio-only services all the more important.
Thank you for this opportunity to comment. Please let us know if there is anything that we can do to assist you in your efforts to adopt practical telehealth policy in Oklahoma.
OHCA Response:
Thank you for the response. We appreciate your feedback.
