OHCA Policies and Rules

317:30-3-27. Telehealth

[Revised 07-06-23]

(a) Definitions. The following words and terms, when used in this Section, shall have the following meaning, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

(1)"Remote patient monitoring" means the use of digital technologies to collect medical and other forms of health data (e.g., vital signs, weight, blood pressure, blood sugar) from individuals in one (1) location and electronically transmit that information securely to health care providers in a different location for assessment and recommendations.

(2)"School-based services" means medically necessary health-related and rehabilitative services that are provided by a qualified school provider to a student under the age of twenty-one (21), pursuant to an Individualized Education Program (IEP), in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. See Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC) 317:30-5-1020.

(3)"Store and forward technologies" means the transmission of a patient's medical information from an originating site to the health care provider at the distant site; provided, photographs visualized by a telecommunications system shall be specific to the patient's medical condition and adequate for furnishing or confirming a diagnosis or treatment plan. Store and forward technologies shall not include consultations provided by telephone audio-only communication, electronic mail, text message, instant messaging conversation, website questionnaire, nonsecure video conference, or facsimile transmission.

(4)"Telehealth" means the practice of health care delivery, diagnosis, consultation, evaluation and treatment, transfer of medical data or exchange of medical education information by means of a two-way, real-time interactive communication, not to exclude store and forward technologies, between a patient and a healthcare provider with access to and reviewing the patient's relevant clinical information prior to the telemedicine visit. Telehealth shall not include consultations provided by telephone audio-only communication, electronic mail, text message, instant messaging conversation, website questionnaire, nonsecure video conference, or facsimile transmission. For audio-only health service delivery, see OAC 317:30-3-27.1.

(5)"Telehealth medical service" means, for the purpose of the notification requirements of OAC 317:30-3-27(d)(2), telehealth services that expressly do not include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and/or speech and hearing services.

(b) Applicability and scope. The purpose of this Section is to implement telehealth policy that improves access to healthcare services, while complying with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations. Telehealth services are not an expansion of SoonerCare-covered services, but an option for the delivery of certain covered services. However, if there are technological difficulties in performing an objective, thorough medical assessment, or problems in the member's understanding of telehealth, hands-on-assessment and/or in-person care must be provided for the member. Any service delivered using telehealth technology must be appropriate for telehealth delivery and be of the same quality and otherwise on par with the same service delivered in person. A telehealth encounter must maintain the confidentiality and security of protected health information in accordance with applicable state and federal law, including, but not limited to, 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 2, 45 CFR Parts 160 and 164, and 43A Oklahoma Statutes (O.S.) § 1-109. For purposes of SoonerCare reimbursement, telehealth is the use of interactive audio, video, or other electronic media for the purpose of diagnosis, consultation, or treatment that occurs in real-time and when the member is actively participating during the transmission.

(1) Interactive audio and video telecommunications must be used, permitting encrypted, real-time communication between the physician or practitioner and the SoonerCare member. The telecommunication service must be secure and adequate to protect the confidentiality and integrity of the telehealth information transmitted. As a condition of payment the member must actively participate in the telehealth visit.

(2) The telehealth equipment and transmission speed and image must be technically sufficient to support the service billed. If a peripheral diagnostic scope is required to assess the member, it must provide adequate resolution or audio quality for decision making. Staff involved in the telehealth visit need to be trained in the use of the telehealth equipment and competent in its operation.

(3) The medical or behavioral health related service must be provided at an appropriate site for the delivery of telehealth services. An appropriate telehealth site is one that has the proper security measures in place; the appropriate administrative, physical, and technical safeguards should be in place that ensures the confidentiality, integrity, and security of electronic protected health information. The location of the room for the encounter at both ends should ensure comfort, privacy, and confidentiality. Both visual and audio privacy are important, and the placement and selection of the rooms should consider this. Appropriate telehealth equipment and networks must be used considering factors such as appropriate screen size, resolution, and security. Providers and/or members may provide or receive telehealth services outside of Oklahoma when medically necessary; however, prior authorization may be required, per OAC 317:30-3-89 through 317:30-3-91.

(4) The provider must be contracted with SoonerCare and appropriately licensed or certified, in good standing. Services that are provided must be within the scope of the practitioner's license or certification. If the provider is outside of Oklahoma, the provider must comply with all laws and regulations of the provider's location, including health care and telehealth requirements.

(5) If the member is a minor, the provider must obtain the prior written consent of the member's parent or legal guardian to provide services via telehealth, that includes, at a minimum, the name of the provider; the provider's permanent business office address and telephone number; an explanation of the services to be provided, including the type, frequency, and duration of services. Written consent must be obtained annually, or whenever there is a change in the information in the written consent form, as set forth above. The parent or legal guardian need not attend the telehealth session unless attendance is therapeutically appropriate. The requirements of subsection OAC 317:30-3-27(c)(5), however, do not apply to telehealth services provided in a primary or secondary school setting.

(6) If the member is a minor, the telehealth provider shall notify the parent or legal guardian that a telehealth service was performed on the minor through electronic communication whether a text message or email.

(7) The member retains the right to withdraw at any time.

(8) All telehealth activities must comply with Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) policy, and all other applicable State and Federal laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, 59 O.S. § 478.1.

(9) The member has access to all transmitted medical information, with the exception of live interactive video as there is often no stored data in such encounters.

(10) There will be no dissemination of any member images or information to other entities without written consent from the member or member's parent or legal guardian, if the member is a minor.

(11) A telehealth service is subject to the same SoonerCare program restrictions, limitations, and coverage which exist for the service when not provided through telehealth; provided, however, that only certain telehealth codes are reimbursable by SoonerCare. For a list of the SoonerCare-reimbursable telehealth codes, refer to the OHCA's Behavioral Health Telehealth Services and Medical Telehealth Services, available on OHCA's website, www.okhca.org.

(12) Where there are established service limitations, the use of telehealth to deliver those services will count towards meeting those noted limitations. Service limitations may be set forth by Medicaid and/or other third-party payers.

(d) Additional requirements specific to telehealth services in a school setting. In order for OHCA to reimburse medically necessary telehealth services provided to SoonerCare members in a primary or secondary school setting, all of the requirements in (c) above must be met, with the exception of (c)(5), as well as all of the requirements shown below, as applicable.

(1) Consent requirements. Advance parent or legal guardian consent for telehealth services must be obtained for minors, in accordance with 25 O.S. §§ 2004 through 2005. Additional consent requirements shall apply to school-based services provided pursuant to an IEP, per OAC 317:30-5-1020.

(2) Notification requirements. For telehealth medical services provided in a primary or secondary school setting, the telehealth practitioner must provide a summary of the service, including, but not limited to, information regarding the exam findings, prescribed or administered medications, and patient instructions, to:

(A) The SoonerCare member, if he or she is an adult, or the member's parent or legal guardian, if the member is a minor; or

(B) The SoonerCare member's primary care provider, if requested by the member or the member's parent or legal guardian.

(3) Requirements specific to physical therapy, occupational therapy, and/or speech and hearing services. Even though physical therapy, occupational therapy, and/or speech and hearing services are not subject to the notification requirements of OAC 317:30-3-27(d)(2), said services must still comply with all other State and Federal Medicaid requirements, in order to be reimbursable by Medicaid. Accordingly, for those physical therapy, occupational therapy, and/or speech and hearing services that are provided in a primary or secondary school setting, but that are not school-based services (i.e., not provided pursuant to an IEP), providers must adhere to all state and federal requirements relating to prior authorization and prescription or referral, including, but not limited to, 42 C.F.R. § 440.110, OAC 317:30-5-291, 317:30-5-296, and 317:30-5-676.

(e) Reimbursement.

(1) Health care services delivered by telehealth such as Remote Patient Monitoring, Store and Forward, or any other telehealth technology, must be compensable by OHCA in order to be reimbursed.

(2) Services provided by telehealth must be billed with the appropriate modifier.

(3) If the technical component of an X-ray, ultrasound or electrocardiogram is performed during a telehealth transmission, the technical component can be billed by the provider that provided that service. The professional component of the procedure and the appropriate visit code should be billed by the provider that rendered that service.

(4) The cost of telehealth equipment and transmission is not reimbursable by SoonerCare.

(5) For reimbursement of audio-only health service delivery, see OAC 317:30-3-27.1.

(f) Documentation.

(1) Documentation must be maintained by the rendering provider to substantiate the services rendered.

(2) Documentation must indicate the services were rendered via telehealth, and the location of the services.

(3) All other SoonerCare documentation guidelines apply to the services rendered via telehealth. Examples include but are not limited to:

(A) Chart notes;

(B) Start and stop times;

(D) Provider's signature.

(g) Final authority. The OHCA has discretion and the final authority to approve or deny any telehealth services based on agency and/or SoonerCare members' needs.

Disclaimer. The OHCA rules found on this Web site are unofficial. The official rules are published by the Oklahoma Secretary of State Office of Administrative Rules as Title 317 of the Oklahoma Administrative Code. To order an official copy of these rules, contact the Office of Administrative Rules at (405) 521-4911.