I. What Are Delaware Telemedicine Policies?

Delaware’s Medicaid Program, known as the Diamond State Health Plan (DSHP), covers live video telemedicine services. However, store-and-forward telemedicine, which involves sending clinical information to another site for evaluation, and remote patient monitoring are not covered under DSHP.

Medicaid Private payers Parity
Reimbursement for: Live video Reimbursement for: Two-way audio and visual connections, remote monitoring, store-and-forward Telemedicine services are reimbursed at the same rate as in-person services.

Parity Laws

According to the 2018 Delaware Parity Law, all private payers must reimburse telemedicine services at the same rate as services performed in-person. Reimbursement for live video telemedicine services is covered under the Medicaid State Plan.

It’s always a good idea to contact your insurance carrier for the most up-to-date information regarding coverage, so you don’t get extra bills due to specific types of telemedicine not being eligible for reimbursement. In Delaware, Medicaid requires patients to receive telemedicine services from an eligible host site, such as their home or daycare center.

Eligible Health Care Providers 

Delaware Medicaid reimburses the following telemedicine providers:

  • Physicians
  • Nurse practitioners
  • Physician assistants
  • Nurse-midwives
  • Psychologists
  • Clinical social workers
  • Certified mental health counselors
  • Speech-language therapists
  • Audiologists

The list of eligible providers for private payers includes the above health care workers and workers in these services:

  • Chiropractic
  • Dentistry
  • Occupational and physical therapy
  • Diet and Nutrition

Online Prescriptions

You can have medicine prescribed for you as long as you have a previous relationship with a provider and the patient-provider relationship has been verified. Controlled substances are permitted for online prescribing as long as the circumstances are approved by the Delaware Board of Pharmacy. Delaware law strictly prohibits the prescribing of medicine without a prior patient-provider relationship.

II. Find an Online Doctor in Delaware

Professional medical professionals can treat physical, mental, and behavioral health issues through telehealth. Many online doctors in Delaware provide telemedicine services, so how do you know which ones to pick? Consider these crucial factors when selecting an online health care professional.

  • Research credentials: It’s a good idea to verify the credentials and licensure for any doctor you see, including telehealth providers. You want to feel confident in your telehealth provider and ensure you receive quality care and accurate medical services, whether online or in-person. The Delaware Division of Professional Regulation has an online website where you can easily search and verify these credentials.
  • Determine your cost: Although Delaware passed a parity law in 2018, your costs may vary depending on your insurance carrier. Telehealth providers can give you a quote for the services you need, and you may want to inquire about out-of-pocket costs before you schedule an appointment. Be sure to ask about subscription fees and additional fees that providers might charge, so you know your total care costs. These additional membership and subscription fees are usually not covered by insurance carriers.
  • Read online doctor reviews: When you’re trying to decide which online doctor to choose, read reviews of their telemedicine services. Do an internet search or look for online reviews from previous patients on social media platforms. These reviews and ratings will help give you an honest picture of the telemedicine services offered and highlight any red flags that you should be aware of. You may find information about pricing and personal experiences with specific telehealth services.

III. Research Our Delaware Telemedicine Sources

As telemedicine services continue to expand, so do the rules and regulations surrounding the field. When using these services, you want to have the most up-to-date information, including the rules regarding eligible health care providers and services covered by Delaware Medicaid. Learn more about telemedicine in Delaware by visiting the following resources: