Montana Governor Expands Telehealth Coverage, But Not For Abortions
Montana Governor Greg Gianforte has signed legislation that permanently extends telehealth access and coverage beyond the pandemic; he also signed a bill banning telemedicine abortions.
- Montana Governor Greg Gianforte has signed legislation that permanently expands coverage of and access to telehealth beyond the coronavirus pandemic.
HB 43, which was approved by both chambers of the Legislature without a negative vote, eliminates geographic and site restrictions to telehealth delivery, as well as a requirement that the provider meet with the patient in person before using connected health channels for certain services. It also separates telemedicine from telehealth, and expands the definition to include more store-and-forward platforms, as well as audio-only telehealth (but not faxes or electronic messaging).
The bill basically makes permanent emergency telehealth measures that had been put in place over the past year to address the COVID-19 crisis.