BILL REQ. #:  S-1615.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/10/09.   

     AN ACT Relating to the delivery of home health care services through telemedicine; and adding a new section to chapter 74.09 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 74.09 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The telemedicine program shall include health care professional oversight and intervention as appropriate and must still meet the criteria of medically necessary for a telemedicine visit. The services delivered through telemedicine are subject to reimbursement policies adopted by rule of the department after consultation with home health care service providers. Home health care services delivered through telemedicine are covered by and reimbursed under the state's medicaid payment program.
     (2)(a) The department shall establish the reimbursement rate for home health care services delivered by a home health agency licensed under chapter 70.127 RCW through telemedicine that are otherwise eligible for reimbursement under the medical assistance program.
     (b) The reimbursement rate must be comparable to the rate currently paid for a home health visit.
     (c) Reimbursement is not provided for purchase or lease of telemedicine equipment.
     (3) Nothing in this section shall be construed to alter the scope of practice of any home health care services provider or authorize the delivery of home health care services in a setting or manner not otherwise authorized by law.
     (4) For the purposes of this section, "telemedicine" means the use of telemonitoring to enhance the delivery of certain home health medical services, through the electronic transfer of medical data, or the provision of certain education related to health care services using audio, video, or data communication in lieu of a face-to-face visit.