DHHS RECOMMEND TELEMEDICINE POLICY (New)

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View NCGA Bill Details2017-2018 Session
House Bill 283 (Public) Filed Wednesday, March 8, 2017
AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO STUDY AND RECOMMEND A TELEMEDICINE POLICY.
Intro. by Lambeth, Insko, Murphy, Dobson.

Status: Ch. SL 2017-133 (House Action) (Jul 20 2017)

SOG comments (1):

Change long and short titles

House committee substitute to the 1st edition changed short and long titles. Short title was TELEHEALTH FAIRNESS ACT. Long title was AN ACT TO REQUIRE HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR TELEMEDICINE SERVICES.

Bill History:

H 283/S.L. 2017-133

Bill Summaries:

  • Summary date: Jul 25 2017 - View Summary

    AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO STUDY AND RECOMMEND A TELEMEDICINE POLICY.  Enacted July 20, 2017. Effective July 20, 2017. 


  • Summary date: Jun 28 2017 - View Summary

    Senate amendment makes the following changes to the 2nd edition.

    Directs the Department of Health and Human Services to study the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact and its impact on the delivery of psychology services via the telehealth model, and to make recommendations on whether North Carolina should enact legislation related to the PSYACT. Directs the Department to include, with its report containing findings on telemedicine/Telehealth laws in other states, a recommendation on the PSYACT to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services.


  • Summary date: Apr 5 2017 - View Summary

    House committee substitute makes the following changes to the 1st edition.

    Deletes all provisions of the 1st edition and replaces it with the following.

    Directs the Department of Health and Human Services to study and recommend a telemedicine policy for consideration by the General Assembly, and to submit its findings on or before October 1, 2017, to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services (Committee). Provides requirements for the study. Directs the Committee to consider making a recommendation, based on the findings, to the 2017 General Assembly during the 2018 regular session.


  • Summary date: Mar 8 2017 - View Summary

    Enacts new GS 58-50-305, which requires health benefit plans to provide the same coverage for a health care service regardless of whether it is provided in a face-to-face consultation, in-person delivery of services, or through telemedicine. Prohibits health care providers from being required to document reasons for delivering services by telemedicine over an in-person visit. Prohibits an insurer from limiting the type of setting where services can be provided to the patient or by the health care provider for purposes of coverage for services provided by telemedicine.

    Requires coverage of services by telemedicine to be at a rate no less than the applicable rate for health care services provided in an in-person consultation or delivery of services. Allows for a health benefit plan to include a deductible, co-payment, or coinsurance requirement for service provided by telemedicine so long as it does not exceed the same applicable to an in-person consultation or delivery of services. 

    Effective October 1, 2017, and applies to contracts issued, renewed, or amended on or after that date.