Report: Mass. patients face barriers in cross-state telehealth access
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Massachusetts received a B grade in the 2025 State Policy Agenda for Telehealth Innovation report.
While Massachusetts excels in its telehealth offerings, the state’s limits to accessing telehealth from providers outside of the commonwealth creates significant barriers for patients, according to a newly released study.
Massachusetts received a B grade for its telehealth policies in the 2025 State Policy Agenda for Telehealth Innovation report, published by public policy think-tanks Pioneer Institute in Boston and the Cicero Institute in Austin, Texas.
The report ranked all 50 U.S. states on four policy areas including if the state allows patients to: utilize all types of telehealth, not just video; start a patient-provider relationship using any mode when conducive; access telehealth providers outside of their residing state; in addition to whether or not nurses are allowed to practice as they have been trained or if the state still requires a doctor to provide oversight or co-sign their work.
Massachusetts earned a gold standard, received the maximum points available in three out of the four policy areas analyzed, meaning its laws are innovation-ready in being modality neutral, letting patients start telehealth by any mode, and allowing for nurse’s independent practices.
At the same time, the state received a red standard in regards to policies allowing cross-state telehealth. State’s earned a red standard, the lowest available, if the state was in non-compliance with innovative policies either actively or by omission in their state laws.
“Telehealth is a fundamental tool that can expand access to care, particularly for rural communities, the disabled, and those with mobility challenges,” Josh Archambault, author of the report, said in a Feb. 26 press release. “Unfortunately, outdated telehealth policies in many states continue to limit its full potential, creating unnecessary barriers for both patients and providers.”
Across-state-line telehealth is critical because most cities and towns don’t have certain providers available, said the report. Allowing telehealth without state limitations helps to end geographic and economic discrimination by enabling patients to see specialists, obtain second opinions, and reach team-based care from providers inaccessible due to distance.
To address pitfalls in telehealth access and optimize benefits, the report recommended the state update its policies by passing an easy registration or reciprocity law for all providers and removing the requirement for two years of experience needed before nurse practitioners are allowed to prescribe.
Massachusetts’ standard-scores remained consistent with its scores in the agency’s 2024 report analyzing access in 2023.
While the state’s cross-state policy score brought down its average to a B grade, the state still ranked firmly in the top half of the country. Four states earned an A+ grade, five earned an A, seven earned a B, 16 earned a C, eight earned a D, and 10 earned an F.
Mica Kanner-Mascolo is a staff writer at Worcester Business Journal, who primarily covers the healthcare and diversity, equity, and inclusion industries.
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