July 14, 2015
On June 10, 2015, Gov. Brown signed SB 144 into law, expanding telemedicine in the state by requiring health plans to cover telemedicine services regardless of where the patient is located. As background, ORS 743A.058 requires a health benefit plan to provide coverage of telemedicine services when services are medically necessary, evidence-based and do not duplicate or supplant what is available in person. The new law amends that section of the Oregon Insurance Code to eliminate the requirement that the plan provide coverage if the health service does not duplicate or supplant a health service available to the patient in person and deletes the originating sites requirement. Additionally, the law does not mandate that insurers compensate providers the same amount for remote visits as it does for an actual visit, but defers to compensation based on the contractual agreement between the parties. The law applies to fully insured group health benefit plans issued or renewed on or after Jan. 1, 2016.
Senate Bill 144 – Chapter 340 »