Telemedicine services; originating site.

Telemedicine services; originating site. Directs the Board of Medical Assistance Services to amend the state plan for medical assistance services to provide for payment of medical assistance for medically necessary health care services provided through telemedicine services, regardless of the originating site or whether the patient is accompanied by a health care provider at the time such services are provided. "Originating site" is defined in the bill as any location where the patient is located, including any medical care facility or office of a health care provider, the home of the patient, the patient's place of employment, or any public or private primary or secondary school or postsecondary institution of higher education at which the person to whom services are provided is located. The bill also requires each (i) insurer proposing to issue individual or group accident and sickness insurance policies providing hospital, medical and surgical, or major medical coverage on an expense-incurred basis; (ii) corporation providing individual or group accident and sickness subscription contracts; and (iii) health maintenance organization providing a health care plan for health care services to provide coverage for telemedicine services regardless of the originating site and whether the patient is accompanied by a health care provider at the time such services are provided. The bill also provides that no health care provider who provides health care services via telemedicine services shall be required to use proprietary technology or applications to be reimbursed for providing telemedicine services, and requires the Department of Medical Assistance Services to continue to reimburse health care providers for Medicaid-covered services delivered via audio-only equipment and by telemedicine services until July 1, 2021. This bill is identical to SB 5080.