Jim Rosica
As part of its push for “telemedicine,” a nonprofit watchdog group will hold a conference in central Florida this week toward “developing a policy framework” for the 21st-century treatment model.
As part of the conference, Florida TaxWatch says it’s hosting a panel of lawmakers and executive-branch officials to discuss the concept, which uses online technology to treat patients.
Scheduled speakers include Republican state Rep. Cary Pigman, who heads the House Health Quality subcommittee; state Rep. Ed Narain, a Tampa Democrat; and Justin Senior, Florida’s chief Medicaid official.
Telemedicine-related legislation has stalled in Tallahassee in recent years. State Sen. Aaron Bean, a Fernandina Beach Republican, sponsored a bill last session but it died in committee.
TaxWatch describes telemedicine, also known as telehealth, as a “method of healthcare delivery that allows doctors and patients to connect virtually, rather than face-to-face.”
The idea is aimed at increasing treatment to Floridians in rural areas or to those unable to get to a doctor’s office.
Telemedicine has been endorsed by the American Medical Association, and California, New York and Texas have already passed laws allowing and regulating such practices there.
Critics have said they’re concerned about allowing doctors to treat patients, including the prescribing of medication, that they can’t see up close and in person.
Just as importantly, issues of payment remain unresolved, such as whether a doctor who treats someone “virtually” should be reimbursed by insurance at the same rate as one who treats a patient in her or his office.
The conference is Thursday in the Westin Orlando on Universal Boulevard. For details, click here.
