The original order allowing telehealth was set to expire on March 15.

By Christine Stuart, CTNewsJunkie.com 

Gov. Ned Lamont has extended his executive order allowing telehealth services to continue until his emergency powers expire on April 20.

The legislature had codified Lamont’s original executive order on telehealth in July, but the timeline outlined in that law will expire March 15. Lamont extended it with the legislature’s approval.

“Telehealth services have been necessary, as well as overwhelmingly popular during the pandemic,” Lamont said Sunday. “Thousands of Connecticut residents have benefited from their expanded use during this difficult time. I am committed to working with the legislature to allow healthcare providers and patients to continue using these services beyond April 20, when this executive order will expire.”

The order will require insurers to reimburse doctors the same amount for a telehealth visit as an in-person visit. It also allows doctors to communicate over a number of platforms, including an old-fashioned phone call.

“The extension of expanded access to telehealth services to April 20 ensures patients can continue to receive the care they need. With COVID-19 hospitalizations spiking in some European countries, we must remain vigilant even as Connecticut continues to be in the top five states for vaccinations,” Senate President Martin Looney and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff said in an emailed statement.

Republished with permission from CTNewsJunkie.com, all rights reserved.

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