Insights

On March 29, 2016, Gov. Inslee signed SB 6519, creating Chapter 68 of the Laws of 2016. Effective for plans issued or renewed on or after Jan. 1, 2017, plans must reimburse health-care providers for health-care services provided through telemedicine or store-and-forward technology if:

• Plans provide coverage for the same health-care services provided in person;
• Health-care services are medically necessary;
• Health-care services are considered to be essential health benefits under the PPACA; and
• Effective Jan. 1, 2018, health-care services are determined to be safely and effectively provided through telemedicine or store and forward technology according to generally accepted health-care practices and standards, and technology used to provide health-care services meets standards required by state and federal laws governing privacy and security of health information.

Plans can apply the same cost-sharing requirements, including coinsurance, copayments and deductibles, prior authorization and utilization review to health-care services provided through telemedicine and store-and-forward technology that apply to the same health-care services provided in person.

Finally, effective Jan. 1, 2018, originating sites, excluding homes, can charge facility fees for infrastructure and preparation of plan participants. Distant sites cannot charge facility fees for telemedicine services.

Chapter 68 »