Updated – February 20, 2025
In the 2025 Virginia General Assembly, State Senate and House members introduced numerous telehealth-related bills and budget items, many driven by the work of the Joint Commission of Health Care, the House Select Committee on Rural Health, and other legislative committees and commissions throughout 2024.
While unfortunately, not every initiative expanding telehealth services was possible due to budget concerns, the legislative items below are likely to pass the General Assembly:
- SB 843: Study to expand remote patient monitoring for patients with chronic conditions
- HB 1945: Remote patient monitoring during pregnancy, pilot program
- SB 1038: DHDBS to develop best practices for telehealth when servicing patients with disabilities.
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UPDATED – February 3, 2025 – Both the House of Delegates and State Senate money committees presented and voted on their amendments to the current biennial budget on Sunday, February 2.
“The House and Senate seemed to focus more on one-time tax relief and filling gaps in both education and the Medicaid budget than any additional new spending priorities,” said Missy Wesolowski, lobbyist and principal of Dogtowne Consulting.
Later this week each set of amendments will go the floor of the respective chambers for a full vote. “Ultimately the competing budget proposals will wind up in the conference committee to iron out the differences between the bodies. Everyone remains hopeful for a final legislative vote on the budget by Sine Die on February 22, after which the Governor will review prior to the Reconvene Session scheduled for April 2, 2025,” Wesolowski said.
The round up below includes key takeaways from Budget Sunday and the status of bills and budget amendments VTN is closely monitoring during the 2025 Virginia General Assembly.
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POSTED – January 27, 2025 – Telehealth continues to play a vital role in furthering equitable health care for communities across Virginia. During the 2025 Virginia General Assembly, the legislature is tackling numerous telehealth-adjacent bills, ranging from expanding Medicaid coverage for remote services to addressing disparities in maternal health care.
For VTN, our members, and health care professionals throughout the state, this session marks several opportunities to expand and codify the uses of telehealth to improve access and affordability.
Bills Aimed at Expanding Telehealth Access
HB1596 – Expanding Audio-Only Telehealth Services
Sponsor: Delegate Nadarius E. Clark
This bill directs the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) to include audio-only telehealth services under Virginia Medicaid, aligning state policy with recent Medicare rules. Starting January 1, 2025, the Medicare rule permanently allows audio-only telehealth for cases where patients cannot use or do not consent to video technology.
Why this matters:
- Addresses the broadband connectivity gap in rural Virginia, where many patients lack access to reliable internet.
- Provides a critical telehealth option for patients who may prefer or only have access to phone-based communication.
HB1596 ensures that Virginia follows suit, benefiting both patients and health care providers by increasing access to care for traditionally underserved populations.
Status: H Placed on Social Services Subcommittee Agenda (1/15); seeking Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (1/21); H Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute and referring to Appropriations (8-Y 0-N) (1/23); H Left in Appropriations (2/4)
HB1975 – Enabling Patient-Initiated Telehealth Consultations
Sponsor: Delegate Amy J. Laufer
This bill proposes that DMAS provide coverage for patient-initiated consultations under Virginia Medicaid, bringing state policy into alignment with Medicare. These include asynchronous e-visits, where a patient initiates and communicates with providers online, and synchronous audio-only consultations.
Benefits include:
- Empowering patients to take charge of their care without requiring provider-initiated steps.
- Offering flexibility to handle low-acuity services virtually, potentially reducing unnecessary in-person visits.
- Closing an important gap for rural and underserved communities with limited broadband access.
Status: H Assigned sub: Social Services (1/14); Seeking Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (1/19); H Subcommittee recommends reporting and referring to Appropriations (8-Y 0-N) (1/23); H Left in Appropriations (2/4)
HB1927 – Remote Monitoring for Pregnant and Postpartum Patients
Sponsor: Delegate Destiny LeVere Bolling
HB1927 expands Medicaid’s current coverage for remote patient monitoring (RPM) from only “high-risk pregnant persons” to all “pregnant and postpartum persons.”
Why it’s beneficial:
- Maternal mortality in the U.S. has surged by 144% in the past decade, disproportionately affecting Black women and rural communities.
- RPM allows health care providers to monitor vital signs such as blood pressure, blood sugar, and oxygen levels, offering real-time insights that support timely interventions.
- Expanding RPM coverage ensures equitable, preventive care access for all expecting and new mothers on Medicaid, breaking harmful cycles of maternal health disparities.
Status: H Assigned sub: Social Services (1/14); H Subcommittee recommends reporting and referring to Appropriations (8-Y 0-N) (1/23); The Senate included $2.5 million for maternal mobile health clinics and $2.2 million to expand remote patient monitoring for pregnant women. The House provided $2.5 million from the general fund the second year to the Virginia Department of Health, working with Virginia universities and private businesses, to create a pilot program for mobile clinics within maternal health deserts in Virginia, as well as funding for data collection to measure the effectiveness of the program. The goal of the program is to improve access in underserved communities and reduce transportation and geographic barriers to care (2/2); H Left in Appropriations (2/4)
SB842 – Mobile Health Clinics: DHCD to Include Broadband Access Services for Clinics
Sponsors: Senator Barbara A. Favola
This bill proposes that the Department of Housing and Community Development prioritize providing broadband access services for mobile health clinics as part of its telehealth support initiatives. The bill mandates that federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program funding be utilized for this purpose.
Status: S Printed as engrossed 25102179D-E (1/24); Senate General Laws and Technology 01/27/25 Sequence #21 in Senate Floor; H Referred to Committee on General Laws (2/4); S Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB842) (2/18)
Telehealth in Education and Beyond
On Sunday, February 2, the House added language to allow school divisions to contract with a mental telehealth provider to provide mental health services to students. This amendment also removes proposed language allowing the Department to provide technical assistance to school divisions. (2/2)
SB1130 – School Boards; School-Based Mental Health Teletherapy Services; Increasing Accessibility of Mental Health Teletherapy Services; Policies and Requirements
Sponsor: Senator Russet Perry
This bill directs the Virginia Department of Education to enhance its model memorandum of understanding (MOU) for partnerships between school boards and nationally recognized school-based telehealth providers. The bill requires the inclusion of parameters to improve accessibility to mental health teletherapy services for students. This initiative aims to standardize policies and requirements for delivering teletherapy in schools, ensuring students have increased access to mental health support.
Status: S Incorporated by Education and Health (SB1037-Pekarsky) (15-Y 0-N) (1/23);
HB1945 & SB1037 – Telehealth Services in Schools
Sponsors: HB1945 by Delegate Atoosa R. Reaser, SB1037 by Senator Stella G. Pekarsky
These complementary bills encourage school boards to develop policies granting students access to telehealth services on school grounds. Policies may cover areas such as mental health counseling, chronic condition management, and more.
By providing telehealth support within educational settings, this legislation promotes early intervention, helping students access necessary care without logistical barriers or absences from school.
Status: HB1945: Assigned Approps sub: Elementary & Secondary Education(1/15); H Subcommittee recommends reporting (5-Y 3-N) (1/24); S Referred to Committee on Education and Health (2/3); H Senate substitute agreed to by House (52-Y 43-N) (2/19)
SB1037: Incorporates SB1130 (1/23), Reported from Education and Health with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations; S Committee substitute printed 25105458D-S1 (1/23); S Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N) (1/31); H Passed House (52-Y 46-N 0-A) (2/20)
HB2543 & SB1370 – Model Memorandum of Understanding; Counseling from School Counselors by Way of Telehealth
Sponsors: HB2543 by Delegate Amy J. Laufer and Delegate Shelly A. Simonds, SB1370 by Senator Kannan Srinivasan
These bills propose that the Virginia Department of Education revise its model memorandum of understanding (MOU) for partnerships with community mental health service providers or school-based telehealth providers. Specifically, the updated MOU would include procedures to allow students to receive counseling from school counselors via telehealth. This initiative stems from a recommendation by the Joint Subcommittee to Study Pandemic Response and aims to enhance access to mental health support for students.
Status: HB2543: H Read first time (1/24); House Education 01/27/25 Sequence #11 in House Floor; S Referred to Committee on Education and Health (1/30); G Governor’s Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., March 24, 2025 (2/18)
SB1370: S Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB1370) (1/24) Senate Education and Health 01/27/25 Sequence #26 in Senate Floor; H Referred to Committee on Education (2/5); S Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB1370) (2/19)
New Initiatives in Maternal and Chronic Care
HB1976 – Maternal Health Monitoring Pilot Program
Sponsor: Delegate Amy J. Laufer
This bill establishes a maternal health monitoring pilot program for participants with maternal hypertension and diabetes. Covering no fewer than 300 participants over two years (FY 2027–28), the initiative will use remote patient monitoring technology to track health data, transmit it securely, and provide timely interventions.
This program represents an essential step toward modernizing care for maternal health issues in Virginia, addressing both state-specific challenges and national maternal health disparities.
Status: Reported from Health and Human Services and referred to Appropriations (22-Y 0-N) (1/23), Assigned Approps sub: Health & Human Resources (1/23); H Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (7-Y 0-N) (1/24); S Referred to Committee on Education and Health (2/3); S Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N) (2/18)
SB843 – Chronic Condition Monitoring Expansion Plans
Sponsor: Senator Barbara A. Favola
SB843 directs DMAS to draft a plan and cost estimates for expanding eligibility criteria for chronic condition remote patient monitoring under Medicaid. Chronic conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension, are a pressing public health issue. Expanding RPM access could reduce complications, hospital admissions, and costs.
Status: passed Senate (40-Y 0-N) (1/21); H Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services (2/5); H Passed House (97-Y 0-N) (2/18)
Enhancing Telehealth Competency and Privacy Standards
SB1038 – Telehealth Training for Disabilities Care
Sponsor: Senator Stella G. Pekarsky
SB1038 mandates the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to collaborate with state agencies to develop telehealth best practice training. This training is specifically designed for serving patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Why it matters:
- Reduces gaps in telehealth care for patients with disabilities.
- Ensures health care providers are adequately equipped to adapt telehealth practices to meet individual needs.
Status: Reported from Education and Health (15-Y 0-N) (1/23); S Passed by for the day (1/24); H Assigned sub: Behavioral Health (2/4); S Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB1038ER) (2/20)
SB1039 – Telehealth Accessibility in Correctional Facilities
Sponsor: Senator Stella G. Pekarsky
This bill updates policies around inmate telehealth use, focusing on creating private and secure spaces for telemedicine appointments in correctional facilities.
Improving telehealth access in these settings aligns Virginia with national standards for inmate health care, offering care equity and operational efficiency.
Status: S Referred to Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services (1/7); S Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N) (2/4); H Passed House (81-Y 15-N) (2/19)
Budget Amendment Requests VTN is Monitoring
SB758 – Remote Patient Monitoring for Pregnant and Postpartum Patients – Item 288 #38s
Chief Patron: Senator Mamie Locke
This amendment provides $1.3 million from the general fund and $2.3 million from nongeneral funds the second year to fund the fiscal impact of Senate Bill 758, which would expand eligibility for remote patient monitoring to all pregnant and postpartum patients enrolled in Medicaid.
Status: Reported from Education and Health and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (14-Y 0-N) (1/16), Seeking Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (1/21); S Reported from Finance and Appropriations (12-Y 0-N) (1/23); H Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services (2/5); H Referred to Committee on Appropriations (2/11)
SB800 – Virginia Telemental Health Initiative – Item 297#7s
Chief Patron: Senator Barbara A. Favola
This amendment provides $482,000 the second year from the general fund to the Virginia Telemental Health Initiative (VTMHI) to increase its patient services by 50.0 percent with an emphasis on serving a more complex patient population with culturally and linguistically appropriate services. VTMHI anticipates being able to serve 160 additional patients and offer 2,390 new patient visits if awarded this additional funding. VTMHI utilizes telehealth to expand access to no-cost mental health services for individuals who are patients of Virginia’s free clinics. This is a recommendation of the Joint Commission on Health Care.
Status: Unfortunately, neither the House nor Senate put in the budget amendment for VTMHI. This is disappointing, especially after it was recommended by the Joint Commission on Health Care and the House Rural Health Select Committee. (2/2)
SB800 – SCHEV – Student Tele-Mental Health Pilot – Item 132#6s
Chief Patron: Senator Schuyler T. VanValkenburg
This amendment provides $1.0 million GF the second year in one-time funds to create a pilot project at SCHEV to encourage public and private universities to utilize the Virginia Higher Education Procurement Consortium contract for student TeleHealth and TeleCounseling Services.
SB800 – Continuous Glucose Monitor Coverage – Item 288#47s
Chief Patron: Senator Todd Pillion
This amendment provides $1.2 million from the general fund and $1.2 million from non general funds the second year to fund Medicaid coverage for a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) and related supplies for the treatment of a Medicaid enrollee under the Medicaid medical and pharmacy benefit.
SB800 – Remote Patient Monitoring Expansion Plan and Costs – Item 292#11s
Chief Patron: Senator Barbara A. Favola
This amendment provides $100,000 from the general fund and $100,000 from non general funds the second year for the Department of Medical Assistance Services to develop a plan and estimate costs for expanding eligibility for remote patient monitoring for individuals with chronic conditions covered by Medicaid. This is a recommendation of the Joint Commission on Health Care.
SB800 – Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics – Item 279 #9s
Chief Patron: Senator Schuyler VanValkenburg
This amendment provides $4.0 million GF each year to increase the appropriation to the Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics to support free clinic operating costs for services provided to uninsured clients.
Status: The House included $500,000 from the general fund in fiscal year 2026 to support operating costs of free clinics that are members of the Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics. Funding will be used to provide medical, dental, vision, speech, hearing and behavioral health care, as well as prescription medications and substance use disorder services to uninsured and underinsured patients. (2/2)
HB1600 – Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners – Item 187#5h
Chief Patron: Delegate Katrina Callsen
This amendment requests funding for a two-year pilot program to address the shortage of trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners. The initiative would train approximately 30 nurses through hands-on training, clinical precepting, and telehealth-based support.
HB1600 – Medicaid Telemedicine Payments for Patient Initiated Consultations – Item 288#46h
Chief Patron: Delegate Amy Laufer
This amendment provides funding to implement the provisions of House Bill 1975, which directs the Department of Medical Assistance Services to modify state plan provisions covering provider-to-provider consultations to also include patient-generated consultations. The bill specifies that consultations provided through telemedicine services, including audio-only telemedicine services where applicable, shall be included in such provision.
HB1600 – Support Virginia Telemental Health Initiative – Item 297#23h
Chief Patron: Delegate Amy Laufer
This amendment provides $482,000 the second year from the general fund to support the Virginia Telemental Health Initiative (VTMHI). VTMHI aims to expand access to timely and appropriate mental health services for uninsured and underinsured individuals across the Commonwealth by working together with Virginia’s free and charitable clinics and pre-licensed mental health providers in the process of completing licensure. This amendment would allow VTMHI to increase their patient services by 50%.
HB1600 – Modify Language to Allow School Districts to Contract with Mental Telehealth Provider (language only) – Item 295#6h
Chief Patron: Delegate Josh Thomas
This amendment modifies language to allow school divisions to allocate a portion of the existing general fund appropriation of $15 million general fund each year for school-based mental health to contract with a mental telehealth provider.
HB1600 – Virginia Telehealth Network Feasibility Study on Pharmacy Care Hubs – Item 279#5h
Chief Patron: Delegate Rodney Willett
This amendment adds $150,000 in fiscal year 2026 from the general fund for the Virginia Telehealth Network to conduct a feasibility study and develop a plan to implement a pilot program for Pharmacy Care Hubs in Virginia. Pharmacy Care Hubs serve as telehealth access points in pharmacies, where reliable internet service is available to provide access to telehealth services and pharmacy staff are available during telehealth visits to help patients use the technology. Pharmacy staff may also perform various tests as directed by a physician, administer vaccines, or provide therapeutic injections during the telehealth visit. If medication is prescribed during the visit, the pharmacist may dispense the medication prior to the end of the appointment. This is a recommendation of the Joint Commission on Health Care.
Status: It does not seem that the Joint Commission recommendations were adopted at this time, including Pharmacy Care Hubs. (2/2)
HB1600 – UVA Medical Center – Child Protection Teams – Item 187#1h
Chief Patron: Delegate Rodney Willett
This amendment requests funding to create a multi-year pilot program for a multi-disciplinary Child Protection Teams (CPTs) that will focus on addressing the child abuse and neglect occurring in Southwest Virginia by offering services in-person to serve the children in the region and via tele-medicine as needed.
Advancing Telehealth Legislation
Telehealth policies being introduced during the 2025 General Assembly reflect an evolving commitment to expanding health equity, particularly for rural and underserved populations. VTN is hopeful bills like HB1927, HB1975, and SB843 receive the support they deserve to enable forward-thinking solutions that improve access, efficiency, and outcomes.