BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 415
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CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 415 (Logue)
As Amended September 2, 2011
Majority vote
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|ASSEMBLY: |76-0 |(June 1, 2011) |SENATE: |35-0 |(September 7, |
| | | | | |2011) |
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Original Committee Reference: HEALTH
SUMMARY : Establishes the Telehealth Advancement Act of 2011 to
revise and update existing law to facilitate the advancement of
telehealth as a service delivery mode in managed care and the
Medi-Cal Program.
The Senate amendments :
1)Revise the definition of "originating site."
2)Define synchronous interaction to mean a real-time interaction
between a patient and a health care provider located at a distant
site.
3)Exempt a patient under the jurisdiction of the Department of
Corrections and Rehabilitation or any other correctional facility.
4)Prevent health plans and insures from requiring in-person contact
or from limiting the type of setting for covered services
appropriately provided through telehealth subject to certain
contracts, as specified.
5)Correct references to Medi-Cal managed care programs.
6)Reaffirm provisions of Medi-Cal law relating to payment rates to
hospitals.
7)Provide, notwithstanding any other provision of law, the governing
body of the hospital whose patients are receiving the telehealth
services may grant privileges to, and verify and approve
credentials for, providers of telehealth services based on its
medical staff recommendations that rely on information provided by
the distant-site hospital or telehealth entity, as described in
federal regulations, as specified.
AB 415
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8)Provide that by enacting 7) above it is the intent of the
Legislature to authorize a hospital to grant privileges to, and
verify and approve credentials for, providers of telehealth
services as described in 7) above.
9)Define "telehealth" to include "telemedicine" as the term is
referenced in federal regulations, as specified.
AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY , this bill updated and defined terminology
in existing law, repealed written informed consent requirements
related to telemedicine, required health plans, including those that
contract with the Medi-Cal Program and health insurers, to adopt
payment policies to compensate health care providers for telehealth.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, to
the extent that this bill would increase the number of visits or
services for which Medi-Cal pays, there could be a significant
increase in costs to the Medi-Cal Program. However, to the extent
that this bill would enable an individual to receive necessary care
at the right time and contribute to an overall improvement in or
maintenance of an individual's health and to the prevention of
disease over-time, then there could be long-term cost avoidance.
COMMENTS : According to the author, in 1996 California was the first
state to pass legislation that, among other things, established
telemedicine as a legitimate means of receiving health care
services, and provided parameters for reimbursement in both private
and public health coverage plans. The provisions are outdated and
may inhibit the full adoption of telehealth in this state and the
potential benefits (e.g., reducing costs, increasing access and
improving the quality of care it can offer).
Analysis Prepared by : Teri Boughton / HEALTH / (916) 319-2097
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