Sen. Somers: Legislation to Expand CT Telehealth Services Will Improve Patient Access to Care

Sen. Heather Somers applauded the State Senate’s May 6 passage of a bill which temporarily extends for two more years telehealth services in Connecticut.

“Expansion of telehealth treatment for medical issues and mental health has been a top priority for me as a state lawmaker,” said Sen. Somers, who serves as ranking senator on the legislature’s Public Health Committee. “Improving our telehealth policies is a safe, practical and convenient tool to improve access to care.  The goal is to help patients safely meet with their physicians and health care professionals, and I am proud to support this bipartisan legislation.”

Under the bill, which awaits the governor’s signature:

1. required insurance coverage for virtual medical appointments would continue until June 30, 2023

2. certain providers may conduct virtual visits using audio-only telephone licensed medical providers in other states may provide telehealth services in Connecticut.

3. health care providers and licensed professions that can use telehealth services are expanded to include dentists, behavior analysts, music therapists, art therapists, physician assistants, physical therapist assistants, and occupational therapy assistants.

“Throughout the pandemic, I have held multiple virtual question and answer sessions with health professionals from the region to help raise community awareness about the COVID-19 vaccine, especially for those who may be hesitant about receiving it,” Sen. Somers said. “The topic of telehealth would continually arise during these meetings as a common sense way to address accessibility to preventative care. We are addressing those valid points with this bill.”

In her first year in office, Sen. Somers co-sponsored legislation to expand the use of telemedicine in connection with treatment of mental health and substance use disorders. That legislation, which is now state law, allows providers to prescribe controlled substances via telemedicine for the treatment of psychiatric disabilities or substance use disorder, including medication assisted therapy.  Connecticut’s telepsychiatry and substance abuse treatment providers can now incorporate controlled substances into their therapies, which is an important and clinically significant component of these specialties.

Sen. Somers serves on the state’s Covid Vaccine Advisory Committee and as Chairperson of the Vaccine Communications Subcommittee. She represents Griswold, Groton, North Stonington, Plainfield, Preston, Sterling, Stonington and Voluntown.