Assigned to HHS FOR
COMMITTEE
Assigned to HHS FOR
COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Third Legislature, Second Regular Session
insurance coverage; telemedicine; urology
Purpose
Expands existing insurance coverage requirements for health care services that are delivered through telemedicine to include pain medicine, substance abuse and, beginning January 1, 2020, urology coverage.
Background
Current law requires insurance policies that are issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2018 to include coverage for certain health care services that are delivered through telemedicine if such services would to be covered when delivered through in-person consultation between the health care provider and the policyholder. Such coverage may be limited to those health care providers belonging to the insurer's provider network.
Health care services are defined as services provided for the following conditions or in the following settings: 1) trauma; 2) burn; 3) cardiology; 4) infectious diseases; 5) mental health disorders; 6) neurologic diseases including strokes; 7) dermatology; and 8) pulmonology.
Telemedicine is defined as the interactive use of audio, video or other electronic media for the purpose of diagnosis, consultation or treatment. Telemedicine does not include the sole use of an audio-only telephone, a video-only system, a facsimile machine, instant messages or electronic mail (A.R.S. §§ 20-841.09, 20-1057.13, 20-1376.05 and 20-1406.05).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Adds pain medicine, substance abuse and, beginning January 1, 2020, urology to the statutory definition of health care services that are delivered through telemedicine and covered by insurance.
2. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
HEALTH 2/15/18 DPA 9-0-0-0
3rd Read 2/21/18 60-0-0
Prepared by Senate Research
March 9, 2018
CRS/lat