The Preserve Telehealth Access Act of 2021 passed by the Maryland General Assembly requires a survey of health care providers to inform recommendations regarding telehealth coverage and reimbursement for audio-only and audio-video relative to in-person care.  NORC at the University of Chicago was competitively selected by the Maryland Health Care Commission to study the impact of telehealth as it relates to audio-only and audio-visual technologies.  It will conduct an online survey of health care providers to assess their experiences.

NORC will mail survey invitations to a randomly selected sample of providers across the State in February 2022. The letters will invite providers to go to a website and enter a PIN number to take a survey. The survey will take about 30 minutes to complete and is voluntary and confidential.  Responses will be used in aggregate only and the information will only be disclosed to researchers at NORC.  The survey will be fielded for about eight weeks.

Given the importance of telehealth during the continuing pandemic and beyond, it is critical that psychiatrists and their staff be alert to US Postal Service mail (at the NPI address on file with the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System), specifically a letter from NORC at the University of Chicago that could include a survey invitation.  Recent telehealth expansion has helped limit COVID spread and has also improved access to care for those with challenging social determinants of health, such as rural location and access to transportation and childcare.  Audio only coverage accommodates patients who are unable to use or without broadband service and video technology. 

If you receive a letter, PLEASE RESPOND.  The survey is being used to inform recommendations on telehealth audio-visual and audio-only coverage and reimbursement for the 2023 legislative session when the Maryland General Assembly must decide whether to continue the 2021 provisions covering audio-only telehealth and requiring the same reimbursement for telehealth visits as for in person visits.

Please contact mdtelehealthsurvey@norc.org with questions.