About Telehealth Alliance of Oklahoma

Oklahoma has been a telehealth leader since before most states had a policy. TAO exists to keep it that way.

An independent hub for Oklahoma telehealth

Telehealth Alliance of Oklahoma (TAO) brings together the healthcare entities, educational institutions, state agencies, and associations advancing telehealth across Oklahoma. Members share what they know about programs, policy, and practice, so no organization has to solve the same problem twice. Patients get better access to care as a result.

TAO stays independent of vendors and outside influence, and that neutrality is why competitors sit at the same table.

Mission

The Alliance exists to improve healthcare access for patients across Oklahoma by educating, advocating, connecting, and providing expert knowledge about telehealth to healthcare providers, administrators, and policymakers.

Vision

The Alliance envisions a state where all Oklahomans have access to telehealth services as an equal standard of care; where policy meets the needs of patients, service providers, physicians, administrators, and other stakeholders; and where telehealth stakeholders connect, convene, and share expert knowledge about the standard of telehealth practices.

History

Oklahoma adopted telemedicine early and wrote some of the country’s first laws to support it. Many TAO members were active participants in the state's telehealth achievements. TAO formed to give that work a permanent home.

1993
Telemedicine reaches Oklahoma through 45 rural hospitals, 15 regional hospitals, and the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

1997
The Oklahoma Telemedicine Act (SB 2048) requires health plans to cover telemedicine services, making Oklahoma a national leader in reimbursement.

1997
Oklahoma addressed the telehealth barrier of broadband expense with the creation of the Oklahoma Universal Services Funds (OUSF). A single broadband line used for telemedicine to be provided free of charge to an eligible healthcare entity within the State

2011
Telemedicine potential for use and utilization has increased significantly since the inception of the OUSF fund. TAO worked to assure the continuation of this fund for telehealth.  Oklahoma provides, to each eligible healthcare entity, special Universal Services for telemedicine providers. (revision HB.2738 - 2011, section 139.109) Rural not-for-profit hospitals, public health departments, correctional facilities, federally qualified health centers (FQHC), and community mental health clinics were added as eligible sites for Oklahoma Universal Service Funds (updated May 2012).  Cost of broadband as a barrier has been reduced for rural providers.

2012
The Oklahoma Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision add language which allows a physician-patient relationship to be established by an allopathic physician through telemedicine. OK Admin. Code Sec. 435:10-7-13. 

2013
TAO is established, giving Oklahoma’s telehealth stakeholders one hub and a shared mission.

2017
A state wide survey of telehealth activity in Oklahoma was conducted by TAO, the Oklahoma Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision, the Oklahoma Hospital Association and the Oklahoma State Department of Health. 

2020
COVID-19 reshapes telehealth overnight. TAO becomes a source of expertise for providers and lawmakers writing policy in real time.

2025
TAO surveyed providers, patients, and payers to create an updated snapshot of telehealth activity in Oklahoma. The report was shared with legislators, administrators, and others. 

TAO submitted comments to the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) regarding reimbursement for Origination Site Facility Fees when Medicaid patients were being seen over telehealth.  The result was additional sites made eligible for the fees. 

Today
TAO serves as a telehealth resource across all 77 Oklahoma counties, from critical access hospitals to state agencies.

Educate. Advocate. Connect.