Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Health Care & Wellness Committee |
SB 5436
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Expanding patient access to health services through telemedicine by further defining where a patient may receive the service.
Sponsors: Senators Becker, Cleveland, Frockt and Keiser.
Brief Summary of Bill |
|
Hearing Date: 3/10/17
Staff: Jim Morishima (786-7191).
Background:
Telemedicine is the use of interactive audio, video, or electronic media for the purpose of diagnosis, consultation, or treatment of a patient at an originating site. Store and forward technology is the use of an asynchronous transmission of a patient's medical information from an originating site to a provider at a distant site.
A health plan offered by a health carrier, a health plan offered to state employees and their dependents, and a Medicaid managed care plan must reimburse providers for health care services provided through telemedicine or store and forward technology if:
the services are covered services;
the services are medically necessary;
the services are essential health benefits under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act;
the services are determined to be safely and effectively provided through telemedicine or store and forward technology according to generally accepted health care practices and standards; and
the technology meets state and federal standards governing the privacy and security of protected health information.
An originating site for telemedicine includes a hospital, rural health clinic, federally qualified health center, health care provider's office, community mental health center, skilled nursing center, renal dialysis center, or a home. A facility fee may not be charged for telemedicine services offered to a patient in his or her home.
Summary of Bill:
The list of originating sites for purposes of telemedicine reimbursement is expanded to include any location determined by the individual receiving the service. A facility fee may not be charged for telemedicine services offered to a patient in such a location.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect on January 1, 2018.