2015 -- H 5177 | |
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LC000529 | |
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015 | |
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A N A C T | |
RELATING TO INSURANCE -- USE OF TELEMEDICINE HEALTHCARE | |
MODERNIZATION ACT | |
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Introduced By: Representatives Kennedy, Shekarchi, Marshall, Azzinaro, and Keable | |
Date Introduced: January 21, 2015 | |
Referred To: House Corporations | |
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: | |
1 | SECTION 1. Title 27 of the General Laws entitled "INSURANCE" is hereby amended |
2 | by adding thereto the following chapter: |
3 | CHAPTER 18.8 |
4 | TELEMEDICINE HEALTHCARE MODERNIZATION ACT |
5 | 27-18.8-1. Definition. -- "Telemedicine" means the use of synchronous video |
6 | conferencing, remote patient monitoring, and asynchronous health images, or other health |
7 | transmissions supported by mobile devices (mHealth) or other telecommunications technology by |
8 | a healthcare provider to deliver healthcare services at a site other than the site where the provider |
9 | is located relating to the healthcare diagnosis or treatment of a patient. |
10 | 27-18.8-2. Private coverage. -- Health insurers, healthcare subscription plans, and health |
11 | maintenance organizations shall provide coverage for the cost of telemedicine services when the |
12 | services are appropriately provided through such means. A health plan offered to employees and |
13 | their covered dependents under chapters 18, 19, 20 and 41 of this title may not deny coverage on |
14 | the basis that the coverage is provided through telemedicine if the healthcare service would be |
15 | covered were it provided through in-person consultation between the covered person and a |
16 | healthcare provider. |
17 | 27-18.8-3. Utilization review. -- Decisions denying coverage of services provided via |
18 | telemedicine shall be subject to utilization review procedures. |
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1 | 27-18.8-4. Exceptions. -- The requirements of this chapter shall apply to all insurance |
2 | policies, contracts, and plans delivered, issued for delivery, reissued, or at any time thereafter |
3 | when any term of the policy, contract, or plan is changed or any premium adjustment is made. |
4 | This chapter does not apply to short-term travel, accident-only, limited or specified disease, or |
5 | individual conversion policies or contracts, or to policies or contracts designed for issuance to |
6 | persons eligible for coverage under Medicare, or any other similar coverage under state or federal |
7 | governmental plans. |
8 | 27-18.8-5. Medicaid. -- The state's Medicaid plan shall not deny coverage on the basis |
9 | that coverage is provided through telemedicine if the healthcare service would be covered were it |
10 | provided through in-person consultation between the recipient and a healthcare provider. |
11 | Coverage for healthcare services provided through telemedicine must be determined in a manner |
12 | consistent with coverage for healthcare services provided through in-person consultation. |
13 | Specifically included is statewide coverage, services originating from a recipients home or |
14 | wherever else they may be, all health professionals are authorized to provide services by a |
15 | telehealth method to the extent otherwise covered in the state's plan, and timely asynchronous |
16 | telehealth services. |
17 | 27-18.8-6. Health home. -- The department of health shall require by December 31, 2015 |
18 | a statewide medical assistance benefit of a health home for individuals with chronic conditions |
19 | (defined under 42 U.S.C. 1396a). |
20 | 27-18.8-7. Reporting. -- The department of health shall lead an interagency study and |
21 | report to the general assembly within twelve (12) months on comprehensive plans that include |
22 | telehealth services and multi-payer coverage, and reimbursement for stroke diagnosis, high-risk |
23 | pregnancies and premature births, and emergency services. |
24 | 27-18.8-8. Professional licensing. -- The state's health professional licensing boards shall |
25 | modify, as necessary, requirements for telemedicine provided practices to be the same as for in- |
26 | person practices, and to allow a professional to consult with an out-of-state peer professional, |
27 | such as a sub-specialist, without the need for an additional state license. |
28 | SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
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LC000529 | |
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EXPLANATION | |
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL | |
OF | |
A N A C T | |
RELATING TO INSURANCE -- USE OF TELEMEDICINE HEALTHCARE | |
MODERNIZATION ACT | |
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1 | This act would authorize the provision of healthcare services by "telemedicine", as |
2 | therein defined, on the same basis as face-to-face consultation, where appropriate, and require |
3 | healthcare insurers to adjust their coverage protocols accordingly. |
4 | This act would take effect upon passage. |
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LC000529 | |
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