Bill Text: CT SB00005 | 2015 | General Assembly | Comm Sub

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: An Act Concerning Health Insurance Coverage For Telemedicine Services.

Spectrum: Committee Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-05-27 - Senate Recommitted to Insurance and Real Estate [SB00005 Detail]

Download: Connecticut-2015-SB00005-Comm_Sub.html

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General Assembly		Committee Bill No. 5
January Session, 2015		LCO No. 2899
		*02899SB00005INS*
Referred to Committee on INSURANCE AND REAL ESTATE
Introduced by:
(INS)

AN ACT CONCERNING HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR TELEMEDICINE SERVICES.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

Section 1. (NEW) (Effective January 1, 2016) (a) As used in this section, "telemedicine" means the use of interactive audio, interactive video or interactive data communication in the delivery of medical advice, diagnosis, care or treatment, and includes the types of services described in subsection (d) of section 20-9 of the general statutes. "Telemedicine" does not include the use of facsimile or audio-only telephone.

(b) Each individual health insurance policy providing coverage of the type specified in subdivisions (1), (2), (4), (11) and (12) of section 38a-469 of the general statutes delivered, issued for delivery, renewed, amended or continued in this state shall provide coverage for medical advice, diagnosis, care or treatment provided through telemedicine, to the extent coverage is provided for such advice, diagnosis, care or treatment when provided through in-person consultation between the insured and a health care provider and provided the use of telemedicine shall be limited to situations where there is a lack of healthcare providers within reasonable travel time and distance of the insured or the insured is unable to travel to a healthcare provider's office without undue burden. Such coverage shall be subject to the same terms and conditions applicable to all other benefits under such policy. No such policy shall require the use of telemedicine in lieu of in-person consultation.

(c) No health care provider shall provide medical advice, diagnosis, care or treatment to an insured or a patient through telemedicine without the prior consent of such insured or patient.

Sec. 2. (NEW) (Effective January 1, 2016) (a) As used in this section, "telemedicine" means the use of interactive audio, interactive video or interactive data communication in the delivery of medical advice, diagnosis, care or treatment, and includes the types of services described in subsection (d) of section 20-9 of the general statutes. "Telemedicine" does not include the use of facsimile or audio-only telephone.

(b) Each group health insurance policy providing coverage of the type specified in subdivisions (1), (2), (4), (11) and (12) of section 38a-469 of the general statutes delivered, issued for delivery, renewed, amended or continued in this state shall provide coverage for medical advice, diagnosis, care or treatment provided through telemedicine to the extent coverage is provided for such advice, diagnosis, care or treatment when provided through in-person consultation between the insured and a health care provider and provided the use of telemedicine shall be limited to situations where there is a lack of healthcare providers within reasonable travel time and distance of the insured or the insured is unable to travel to a healthcare provider's office without undue burden. Such coverage shall be subject to the same terms and conditions applicable to all other benefits under such policy. No such policy shall require the use of telemedicine in lieu of in-person consultation.

(c) No health care provider shall provide medical advice, diagnosis, care or treatment to an insured or a patient through telemedicine without the prior consent of such insured or patient.

This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
Section 1	January 1, 2016	New section
Sec. 2	January 1, 2016	New section

Statement of Purpose:

To require health insurance coverage of medical advice, diagnosis, care or treatment provided through telemedicine if such advice, diagnosis, care or treatment is covered when provided through in-person consultation.

[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.]

Co-Sponsors:

SEN. CRISCO, 17th Dist.

S.B. 5