HB2907 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB100 07143 KTG 21435 b

100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2017 and 2018
HB2907

Introduced , by Rep. Patricia R. Bellock

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

305 ILCS 5/5-5.25
305 ILCS 5/5-5.25a new

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In a provision concerning access to psychiatric mental health services via telepsychiatry, provides that the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall not require that a physician or other licensed health care professional be physically present in the same room as the patient for the entire time during which the patient is receiving telepsychiatry services. Provides that the Department shall not require that a physician or other licensed healthcare professional be physically present in the same room as the patient for the entire time during which the patient is receiving telemedicine services. Defines "telemedicine" as the use of a telecommunication system to provide medical services for the purpose of evaluation and treatment when the patient is at one location and the rendering provider is at another location.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning public aid.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Public Aid Code is amended by changing Section 5-5.25 and by adding Section 5-5.25a as follows:

(305 ILCS 5/5-5.25)

Sec. 5-5.25. Access to psychiatric mental health services. The General Assembly finds that providing access to psychiatric mental health services in a timely manner will improve the quality of life for persons suffering from mental illness and will contain health care costs by avoiding the need for more costly inpatient hospitalization. The Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall reimburse psychiatrists and federally qualified health centers as defined in Section 1905(l)(2)(B) of the federal Social Security Act for mental health services provided by psychiatrists, as authorized by Illinois law, to recipients via telepsychiatry. The Department, by rule, shall establish: (i) criteria for such services to be reimbursed, including appropriate facilities and equipment to be used at both sites and requirements for a physician or other licensed health care professional to be present at the site where the patient is located; however, the Department shall not require that a physician or other licensed health care professional be physically present in the same room as the patient for the entire time during which the patient is receiving telepsychiatry services; , and (ii) a method to reimburse providers for mental health services provided by telepsychiatry.

On and after July 1, 2012, the Department shall reduce any rate of reimbursement for services or other payments or alter any methodologies authorized by this Code to reduce any rate of reimbursement for services or other payments in accordance with Section 5-5e.

(Source: P.A. 97-689, eff. 6-14-12.)

(305 ILCS 5/5-5.25a new)

Sec. 5-5.25a. Telemedicine services. As used in this Section, "telemedicine" means the use of a telecommunication system to provide medical services for the purpose of evaluation and treatment when the patient is at one location and the rendering provider is at another location. The Department shall not require that a physician or other licensed health care professional be physically present in the same room as the patient for the entire time during which the patient is receiving telemedicine services.