Current status of state telemedicine policy in the United States and policy implications for Korea

Abstract

The main objective of this study to propose an implementation about telemedicine policy in Korea through analyzing current status of state telemedicine policy in the United States. To achieve the result, three types of data sets were used to draw conclusions; 1) status of insured service of telemedicine in each state, 2) physician practice standards related to telemedicine, and 3) licensure. Analyzed results indicated differentiation in insured status of telemedicine service among private insurance parity law, medicaid coverage parity law, and state employee health plan parity in each states. Only two states provide insured service of telemedicine without any limits or certain conditions. Other states have a strict regulation or coverage condition about providing insurance. Each states also apply rigorous standards to telemedicine providers about physician practice standards and licensure. Some states restrict telemedicine itself or provide strict regulation process of telemedicine in Physician-patient encounter. Also, the most strict type 'full state license' and 'consulting exemptions (applied in certain condition)' are applied in most of states. On the basis of study result, environmental and conditional requirement implementation in application of telemedicine policy in Korea is provided in conclusion.