This bill amends New Jersey's laws regarding reimbursement payments for healthcare services delivered through telemedicine and telehealth. It requires health carriers, as well as the State Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare programs, to provide coverage and payment for these services at a reimbursement rate equal to that of in-person consultations, provided the services are covered under the plan. The bill clarifies that reimbursement can be made to either the individual practitioner or the employing agency, facility, or organization, and specifies that these requirements do not apply to telemedicine or telehealth services not provided on an in-person basis in New Jersey.

Additionally, the bill prohibits health carriers and state programs from imposing restrictions such as limiting coverage to specific providers or charging higher deductibles or copayments for telehealth services compared to in-person consultations. It allows providers to use various electronic platforms, including audio-only conversations, as long as they meet the same standard of care as in-person services. The bill emphasizes that coverage can only be denied for services deemed medically unnecessary and does not mandate the use of telemedicine or telehealth over in-person services. The act is set to take effect immediately and will apply to reimbursement requests made after its enactment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 26:2S-29, 30:4D-6, 52:14-17.29, 52:14-17.46.6