HB0107 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB097 05224 KTG 45274 b

97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2011 and 2012
HB0107

Introduced 1/12/2011, by Rep. Naomi D. Jakobsson

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

305 ILCS 5/5-5.25a new

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to reimburse the practice of telemedicine by medical services providers, including, but not limited to, physicians, advanced practice nurses, federally qualified health centers, or psychiatrists. Further provides that the Department shall establish (i) criteria for the services to be reimbursed and (ii) a method to reimburse providers for services provided by telemedicine.

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 adding Section 5-5.25a as follows:

(305 ILCS 5/5-5.25a new)

Sec. 5-5.25a. Telemedicine. The General Assembly finds that providing medical services in a timely and safe manner by telemedicine, as defined by Section 49.5 of the Medical Practice Act of 1987, will ensure the health and well being of recipients of medical assistance under this Code, and that this method of medical service delivery should contain costs by avoiding the need for more costly inpatient hospitalization or specialty care not otherwise available or accessible without significant cost or inconvenience to the recipients. The Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall reimburse the practice of telemedicine by medical service providers, including, but not limited to, physicians, advanced practice nurses, federally qualified health centers as defined in Section 1905(l)(2)(B) of the federal Social Security Act, or psychiatrists, as authorized by Illinois law. The Department, by rule, shall establish (i) criteria for the 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 recipient is located, and (ii) a method to reimburse providers for services provided by telemedicine.