PRINTER'S NO. 831
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
706
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY COHEN, V. BROWN, KIRKLAND, READSHAW, THOMAS AND
TRUITT, MARCH 4, 2015
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON INSURANCE, MARCH 4, 2015
AN ACT
Amending Title 40 (Insurance) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes, providing for telehealth.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title 40 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes is amended by adding a part to read:
PART IV
HEALTH CARE COVERAGE
Chapter
71. Telehealth
CHAPTER 71
TELEHEALTH
Sec.
7101. Definitions.
7102. Provision of coverage.
7103. Applicability.
§ 7101. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
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shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
" Health care professional. " An individual who is licensed,
certified or otherwise regulated to provide health care services
under the laws of this Commonwealth.
" Health care services. " Services for the diagnosis,
prevention, treatment, cure or relief of a health condition,
injury, disease or illness.
"Health insurance policy." As follows:
(1) An individual or group health insurance policy,
contract or plan that provides medical or health care
coverage by a health care facility or licensed health care
provider that is offered by or is governed under any of the
following:
(i) The act of May 17, 1921 (P.L.682, No.284), known
as The Insurance Company Law of 1921.
(ii) The act of December 29, 1972 (P.L.1701,
No.364), known as the Health Maintenance Organization
Act.
(iii) Chapter 61 (relating to hospital plan
corporations).
(iv) Chapter 63 (relating to professional health
services plan corporations).
(2) The term does not include accident only, fixed
indemnity, limited benefit, credit, dental, vision, specified
disease, Medicare supplement, Civilian Health and Medical
Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) supplement, long-
term care or disability income, workers' compensation or
automobile medical payment insurance.
" Telehealth. " The remote interaction between a health care
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professional and a patient through the use of any of the
following:
(1) A video camera transmission.
(2) A computer video transmission.
(3) An electronic health monitoring device.
(4) Another telecommunications device that delivers
health information concerning a patient to a health care
professional.
§ 7102. Provision of coverage.
An insurer that issues, delivers, executes or renews a health
insurance policy in this Commonwealth shall provide coverage for
telehealth under the following conditions, as determined by the
patient's health care professional:
(1) The use of telehealth is appropriate for the
patient.
(2) The health care professional is able to maintain
proper direct examination of the patient or direct
examination of the patient is not necessary.
(3) The use of telehealth is expected to result in lower
health care costs than if it were not used.
§ 7103. Applicability.
This chapter applies as follows:
(1) If a rate or form is required to be filed with the
Federal Government or the department, this chapter applies to
a health insurance policy for which the rate or form is first
filed on or after the effective date of this chapter .
(2) If a rate or form is not required to be filed with
the Federal Government or the department, this chapter
applies to a health insurance policy issued or renewed on or
after 180 days after the effective date of this chapter .
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Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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