This petition is requesting that the Governor Doug Ducey (Arizona) and other state officials reduce barriers to expand the use of telehealth by IMPLEMENTING PARITY with PAYMENT and DOCUMENTATION requirements applicable to in person services. We request that services WHICH ARE THE SAME BE REIMBURSED AT THE SAME RATE WHETHER PROVIDED IN-PERSON OR THROUGH TELEHEALTH. Similarly, the petition requests that health plans not be permitted to require documentation for telehealth services beyond what the plan already requires for in-person services.

Unfortunately, lower reimbursement rates for telehealth services serve as a barrier to the expanded use of such technology because health providers are reluctant to accept significantly reduced payment for such services. Some providers may also be reluctant to engage in telehealth because of health benefit plans' different documentation requirements for telehealth services as opposed to in-person services.

Telehealth has emerged as a vital tool in combating the spread of infectious diseases, in part because it limits physical contact between a patient and their provider. Limiting person-to person contact is key to slowing the spread of this virus.