Telehealth resource center: AMA policy resources

The AMA’s House of Delegates makes policy for the organization. The policies listed here drive and inform the AMA’s work on telehealth.

1. Coverage of and payment for telemedicine (H-480.946)

   The AMA believes that telemedicine services should be covered and paid for if they abide by certain outlined principles.

2. Reimbursement for telehealth D-480.965

   The AMA will work with third-party payers, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Congress and interested state medical associations to provide coverage and reimbursement for telehealth to ensure increased access and use of these services by patients and physicians.

3. COVID-19 emergency and expanded telemedicine regulations D-480.963

   Our AMA will continue to advocate for the widespread adoption of telehealth services in the practice of medicine for physicians and physician-led teams amid and following the COVID-19 pandemic.

4. Insurance coverage parity for telemedicine service D-480.969

   Our AMA will advocate for telemedicine parity laws that require private insurers to cover telemedicine-provided services comparable to that of in-person services, and not limit coverage only to services provided by select corporate telemedicine providers.

5. Evolving impact of telemedicine H-480.974

   Nine action items from the AMA on telemedicine, along with a policy timeline.

6. The promotion of quality telemedicine H-480.969   

   It is the policy of the AMA that medical boards of states and territories should require a full and unrestricted license in that state for the practice of telemedicine, unless there are other appropriate state-based licensing methods, with no differentiation by specialty, for physicians who wish to practice telemedicine in that state or territory.

1. Private and Medicaid coverage and payment for telemedicine/telehealth (PDF)

2. Telehealth: Ensuring access to quality care during and after the COVID-19 pandemic (PDF)