Bill > S0070

This bill clarifies and expands the use of telemedicine, which refers to the delivery of health care services through technology like video conferencing, remote monitoring, and mobile devices for diagnosis, consultation, and treatment, but excludes audio-only calls, emails, or faxes. It mandates that health insurance policies and Medicaid cannot require a face-to-face visit with a healthcare provider as a condition for covering or reimbursing telemedicine services, treating them as equivalent to in-person care for coverage and payment purposes, though insurers can still apply the same deductibles or copayments. The bill also specifies that using telemedicine technology under the supervision of another licensed healthcare practitioner does not constitute practicing medicine without a license, provided the practitioner is trained and knowledgeable in the technology and procedure. Furthermore, it requires the Department of Health, in collaboration with the Department of Children and Families and the Agency for Health Care Administration, to study and report on options for implementing telemedicine for specific services like stroke diagnosis, high-risk pregnancies, mental health, and emergency services, aiming to improve access to care through technology.