2020 House Bill 5412 / Public Act 97

Revise detail of limited “telemedicine” law

Introduced in the House

Jan. 28, 2020

Introduced by Rep. Hank Vaupel (R-47)

To revise the definition of “telemedicine” in the state insurance code, by replacing a requirement that a patient be able to interact with an off-site health care professional at the time the services are provided, with a provision allowing “store and forward” online messaging (see House Bill 5415). Michigan’s extensive medical licensure and regulatory regimes for the most part restricts this means of getting care, primarily by limiting what actions providers in other states may take without a Michigan license.

Referred to the Committee on Health Policy

March 5, 2020

Reported without amendment

Refer to the Committee on Ways and Means with the recommendation that the substitute (H-2) be adopted.

Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

May 7, 2020

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

May 13, 2020

Passed in the House 105 to 0 (details)

To revise the definition of “telemedicine” in the state insurance code, by replacing a requirement that a patient be able to interact in real time with the off-site health care professional at the time the services are provided, with a provision requiring that the health care professional "must be able to examine the patient via a HIPAA-compliant, secure interactive audio or video, or both, telecommunications system, or through the use of store and forward online messaging." House Bills 5413 to 5416 amend other laws to make similar changes in Medicaid and related social welfare programs, and also remove current restrictions that prohibit getting telemedicine services at home.

Received in the Senate

May 19, 2020

Referred to the Committee on Health Policy and Human Services

June 9, 2020

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

June 11, 2020

Passed in the Senate 38 to 0 (details)

To revise the definition of “telemedicine” in the state insurance code, by replacing a requirement that a patient be able to interact in real time with the off-site health care professional at the time the services are provided, with a provision requiring that the health care professional "must be able to examine the patient via a HIPAA-compliant, secure interactive audio or video, or both, telecommunications system, or through the use of store and forward online messaging." House Bills 5413 to 5416 amend other laws to make similar changes in Medicaid and related social welfare programs, and also remove current restrictions that prohibit getting telemedicine services at home.

Signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

June 24, 2020