The proposed bill aims to establish the Remote Patient Outcome Improvement Act in West Virginia, introducing a new article to the state's code. It includes definitions for key terms such as "health insurer," "internet service provider," "medical provider," "patient," and "WLAN." The bill emphasizes the importance of real-time monitoring of patients' vital signs and medical device data to prevent unnecessary emergency medical visits and improve health outcomes. It also outlines the legislative findings that support the need for enhanced connectivity among patients, health insurers, medical providers, and internet service providers.

Additionally, the bill allows health insurers and medical providers to partner with internet service providers to facilitate internet access at patients' homes for the transmission of medical data, provided that it is deemed beneficial for the patient's health outcomes and cost reduction. It ensures that any data collected cannot negatively impact the patient's costs or service availability. Furthermore, it mandates that health insurers report utilization data to employers without disclosing any internet traffic information. Overall, the bill seeks to create a legal framework that promotes public wellness and improves remote patient monitoring.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 33-64-1