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Committee extends audio-only telehealth sunset by one year amid federal uncertainty
Summary
The committee adopted Department of Health’s recommendation to extend the audio-only telehealth reimbursement sunset for one year, keeping access in place while awaiting federal policy clarity.
The House Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce on Feb. 11 amended House Bill 557 (HD1) to extend the statute allowing reimbursement for audio-only telehealth services by one year, citing uncertainty about federal policy changes and potential impacts on reproductive and behavioral health services.
Department of Health testimony urged a cautious approach. “Due to uncertainties about where federal health policy is going, we think it is prudent to extend the sunset date for the audio only reimbursement…to next year and see where we are then,” a DOH representative told the committee. The Hawaii State Health Planning and Development Agency and AARP Hawaii also testified in support of preserving audio-only options for behavioral health and kupuna access.
Insurers and health-plan groups asked for amendments to reinstate certain guardrails adopted in previous legislation and recommended an 80% reimbursement rate for audio-only services. Medicaid and plan representatives said they support maintaining access but recommended clarifying language to balance access with fraud controls and clinical appropriateness.
Committee action: The committee adopted the DOH amendment to extend the sunset by one year and passed the bill with that change. The committee report will revisit the issue next session when federal rulemaking is clearer.
