On March 12, 2025, Gov. Tate Reeves signed SB 2415, which extends the requirement for health insurance coverage and group health plans to cover services provided via telemedicine to the same extent that they would be covered if provided in person. This requirement, enacted in 2022 to expand access to telemedicine in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, had been scheduled to expire on July 1, 2025. It will now expire three years later, on July 1, 2028.
While the legislation purports to apply to both self-insured and fully insured group health plans, federal law generally exempts self-insured plans from the reach of state insurance laws. For self-insured plans, employers should consult with their legal counsel if they have concerns regarding the applicability of the new law. For fully insured plans, carriers will generally be responsible for ensuring that coverage continues to comply with the telemedicine coverage requirement.