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Bill > S549

MA S549

Advancing and expanding access to telemedicine services

summary

Introduced
01/23/2017
In Committee
01/23/2017
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2018

Introduced Session

190th General Court

Bill Summary

For legislation to advance and expand access to telemedicine services. Financial Services.

AI Summary

This bill aims to advance and expand access to telemedicine services in Massachusetts. The key provisions of the bill include: 1. Requiring the Group Insurance Commission, Medicaid, and private insurers to cover healthcare services delivered via telemedicine to the same extent as in-person services, without requiring documentation of a barrier to an in-person visit or limiting the type of setting where telemedicine is provided. 2. Defining "telemedicine" to include synchronous or asynchronous audio, video, or other electronic media for diagnosis, consultation, prescribing, and treatment, but excluding audio-only telephone or fax communications. 3. Allowing for the establishment of provider-patient relationships and the provision of care via telemedicine, and requiring the relevant licensing boards to promulgate regulations to allow for proxy credentialing and privileging for telemedicine services. 4. Specifying that the bill does not change the prevailing standard of care for healthcare services, whether delivered in-person or through telemedicine. 5. Making the provisions of the bill effective for all contracts entered into, renewed, or amended one year after the effective date of the legislation.

Committee Categories

Business and Industry

Sponsors (45)

Mike Barrett (D),  Jennifer Benson (D),  Michael Brady (D),  Will Brownsberger (D),  Thomas Calter (D),  Mike Connolly (D),  Cynthia Creem (D),  William Crocker (R),  Marjorie Decker (D),  Viriato deMacedo (R),  Sal DiDomenico (D),  Kenneth Donnelly (D),  Lori Ehrlich (D),  Ryan Fattman (R),  Jennifer Flanagan (D),  Cindy Friedman (D),  Carmine Gentile (D),  Danielle Gregoire (D),  Paul Heroux (D),  Steven Howitt (R),  Pat Jehlen (D),  Brad Jones (R),  Jay Kaufman (D),  Mary Keefe (D),  Kay Khan (D),  Barbara L'Italien (D),  Jack Lewis (D),  Jason Lewis (D),  Juana Matias (D),  Thomas McGee (D),  Mark Montigny (D),  Mike Moore (D),  Matt Muratore (R),  Patrick O'Connor (R),  Denise Provost (D),  Michael Rodrigues (D),  Mike Rush (D),  Danny Ryan (D),  John Scibak (D),  Tom Stanley (D),  Bill Straus (D),  Bruce Tarr (R),  Walter Timilty (D),  Steve Ultrino (D),  Chris Walsh (D), 

Last Action

Accompanied a new draft, see S2471 (on 04/23/2018)
(12 Companion Bills)

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Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/S549
Bill https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/S549.pdf
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