Extension of Bulletin 2020-1, Insurance Coverage Regarding The Use of Telemedicine During The COVID-19 Crisis

[LOGO]

MIKE CHANEY

Commissioner of Insurance

State Fire Marshal

MARK HAIRE

Deputy Commissioner of Insurance

RICKY DAVIS

State Chief Deputy Fire Marshal

# MISSISSIPPI INSURANCE DEPARTMENT

501 N. WEST STREET, SUITE 1001

WOOLFOLK BUILDING

JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI 39201

www.mid.ms.gov

MAILING ADDRESS

Post Office Box 79

Jackson, Mississippi 39205-0079

TELEPHONE: (601) 359-3569

FAX: (601) 359-2474

## BULLETIN 2020-18

## MISSISSIPPI INSURANCE DEPARTMENT

## EXTENSION OF BULLETIN 2020-1

## INSURANCE COVERAGE REGARDING THE USE

## OF TELEMEDICINE DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS

December 9, 2020

On March 14, 2020, Governor Tate Reeves declared a state of emergency to address the high risk for an outbreak of the novel coronavirus, identified as COVID-19, in this State. In an effort to encourage the use of telemedicine during this pandemic, the Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure on March 15, 2020, issued a Proclamation to encourage all physicians to utilize telemedicine so as to avoid any unnecessary patient exposure to the coronavirus.

On March 16, 2020, the Mississippi Insurance Department (“MID”) issued Bulletin 2020-1, “Insurance Coverage Regarding the Use of Telemedicine During the COVID-19 Crisis”, directing insurers to adopt procedures that would encourage their policyholders to use telemedicine in an effort to reduce the virus’ spread, and suspending certain limitations applicable to telemedicine services found in Miss. Code Ann. §83-9-351 (Supp. 2019). The directives provided in Bulletin 2020-1 were to be in effect through April 30, 2020, at which time the Commissioner stated he would reassess the situation. As a result of the ongoing situation, the Commissioner issued Bulletin 2020-9, and then later Bulletin 2020-10, which extended the provisions contained in Bulletin 2020-1 through September 30, 2020. Bulletin 2020-13, which was issued on September 17, 2020, extended the provisions through December 31, 2020.

rough April 30, 2020, at which time the Commissioner stated he would reassess the situation. As a result of the ongoing situation, the Commissioner issued Bulletin 2020-9, and then later Bulletin 2020-10, which extended the provisions contained in Bulletin 2020-1 through September 30, 2020. Bulletin 2020-13, which was issued on September 17, 2020, extended the provisions through December 31, 2020.

The use of telemedicine has been an effective method of limiting citizens’ exposure to the coronavirus, and has contributed to medical clinics and hospitals not being overwhelmed and having the resources necessary to treat coronavirus victims. As the Governor’s Emergency Proclamation of March 14, 2020, remains in place and as the pandemic continues, it is the determination of the Commissioner that the continued use of telemedicine under the terms specified in Bulletin 2020-1 remains necessary. Therefore, the provisions contained in Bulletin 2020-1 shall be extended and shall continue as long as the Governor’s Emergency Proclamation of March 14, 2020, remains in effect.

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Should you have any questions regarding this Bulletin, please contact Bob Williams, Director of the Life and Health Division, at (601) 359-9375, or at Bob.Williams@mid.ms.gov.

MIKE CHANEY

COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE

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