2016 -- S 2756 AS AMENDED

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LC005396

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE

     

     Introduced By: Senator V. Susan Sosnowski

     Date Introduced: March 10, 2016

     Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 27-18 of the General Laws entitled "Accident and Sickness

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Insurance Policies" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     27-18-82. Telemedicine services. – Every group health insurance contract, plan, or

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group policy delivered, issued for delivery or renewed in this state which provides medical

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coverage, and every group policy which provides for treatment of persons for the prevention,

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cure, or correction of any illness or physical or mental condition shall provide coverage for the

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use of telecommunication and information technologies utilized to provide clinical health care for

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subscribers who reside on islands located within the state that are not connected to the mainland

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by any bridge or other structure.

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     SECTION 2. Chapter 27-19 of the General Laws entitled "Nonprofit Hospital Service

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Corporations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     27-19-73. Telemedicine services. -- Every group health insurance contract, plan, or

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group policy delivered, issued for delivery or renewed in this state which provides medical

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coverage, and every group policy which provides for treatment of persons for the prevention,

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cure, or correction of any illness or physical or mental condition shall provide coverage for the

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use of telecommunication and information technologies utilized to provide clinical health care for

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subscribers who reside on islands located within the state that are not connected to the mainland

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by any bridge or other structure.

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     SECTION 3. Chapter 27-20 of the General Laws entitled "Nonprofit Medical Service

 

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Corporations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     27-20-69. Telemedicine services. -- Every group health insurance contract, plan, or

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group policy delivered, issued for delivery or renewed in this state which provides medical

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coverage, and every group policy which provides for treatment of persons for the prevention,

5

cure, or correction of any illness or physical or mental condition shall provide coverage for the

6

use of telecommunication and information technologies utilized to provide clinical health care for

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subscribers who reside on islands located within the state that are not connected to the mainland

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by any bridge or other structure.

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     SECTION 4. Chapter 27-41 of the General Laws entitled "Health Maintenance

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Organizations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     27-41-86. Telemedicine services. -- Every group health insurance contract, plan, or

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group policy delivered, issued for delivery or renewed in this state which provides medical

13

coverage, and every group policy which provides for treatment of persons for the prevention,

14

cure, or correction of any illness or physical or mental condition shall provide coverage for the

15

use of telecommunication and information technologies utilized to provide clinical health care for

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subscribers who reside on islands located within the state that are not connected to the mainland

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by any bridge or other structure.

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     SECTION 5. This act shall take effect upon passage on January 1, 2017.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE

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     This act would require insurance policies to provide coverage for the use of

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telecommunication services rendered to subscribers who reside on islands located within the state

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that are not connected to the mainland by any bridge or other structure.

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     This act would take effect upon passage on January 1, 2017.

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LC005396

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LC005396 - Page 3 of 3