The Issue
Telehealth has become an essential part of patient care, improving access to services across Massachusetts.
However, reimbursement policies remain inconsistent across payers, creating uncertainty for physicians and barriers for patients seeking virtual care.
Key challenges include:
- Uneven telehealth reimbursement policies
- Administrative complexity across payers
- Uncertainty around long-term payment parity
- Persistent barriers to equitable access for some patient populations
Without stable policies, patient access to virtual care may be reduced.
MMS Position
The Massachusetts Medical Society supports policies that ensure telehealth remains a sustainable and accessible care delivery option for patients and physicians.
MMS advocates for:
- Telehealth payment parity
- Consistent reimbursement policies across payers
- Physician autonomy in determining when telehealth is clinically appropriate
- Reduced administrative burden
- Policies that promote equitable access to virtual care
Goal: Ensure patients can access high-quality virtual care while supporting physician practice sustainability.
MMS Advocacy
MMS played a leading role in the development and implementation of Massachusetts telehealth policy and continues to advocate for improvements that support physicians and patients.
Current advocacy priorities include:
- Protecting telehealth payment parity
- Promoting consistent telehealth policies across payers
- Reducing unnecessary regulatory and administrative barriers
- Expanding digital access and health equity initiatives
- Supporting physician-led clinical decision-making
MMS continues to work with policymakers, health care organizations, and coalition partners to strengthen telehealth access across the Commonwealth.
Why This Matters to Physicians
Telehealth is now a core component of modern medical practice.
Physicians rely on telehealth to:
- Improve patient access to care
- Reduce barriers for patients with transportation or mobility challenges
- Deliver timely behavioral health and chronic disease management services
- Maintain continuity of care
Stable telehealth policies help physicians invest in virtual care while ensuring patients continue to benefit from expanded access to services.
Take Action
Support Telehealth Advocacy
Join MMS advocacy efforts to protect telehealth payment parity, reduce administrative barriers, and expand patient access to virtual care.
Become an MMS member and strengthen the physician
voice advocating for the future of telehealth in Massachusetts.
