Summary of Original Version

Create various new sections of KRS Chapter 211 to define terms; require the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to establish minimum standards to telehealth; reestablish the requirement for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services and managed care organizations to study the impact of telehealth on the state's health care delivery system; prohibit certain practices in telehealth; authorize health practitioner licensure boards to promulgate administrative regulations related to telehealth; amend KRS 205.510 to revise definitions; amend KRS 205.559 to require reimbursement rates for telehealth to be equivalent to reimbursement rates for the same service provided in person, permit the Department for Medicaid services to approve additional telecommunication technologies for telehealth, and to delete the requirement for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services and managed care organizations to study the impact of telehealth on the state's health care delivery system; amend KRS 205.5591 to require telehealth coverage and reimbursement rates to be equivalent to coverage requirements and reimbursement rates for the same service provided in person; amend KRS 304.17A-005 to delete the definition of "telehealth"; amend KRS 304.17A-138 to define "telehealth" and to require that telehealth coverage and reimbursement rates be equivalent to coverage and reimbursement for the same service provided in person; require the Cabinet for Health and Family Services or the Department for Medicaid Services to seek federal approval if they determine that such approval is necessary; and certain sections EFFECTIVE January 1, 2022.

Summary of Amendment: House Committee Substitute 1

Summary Retain original provisions; require telehealth services to meet clinical, technology, and medical coding standards established by a state agency authorized or required to promulgate administrative regulations related to telehealth; and prohibit the Department for Medicaid Services and managed care organizations from denying reimbursement for covered telehealth services based on quality-of-care protocols established by healthcare facilities; authorize the Cabinet for Health and Family Services and Department for Medicaid Services to promulgate emergency administrative regulations; make technical corrections.

Summary of Amendment: House Floor Amendment 1 -- L. Willner

Summary Permit practitioners who participate in a recognized interstate compact to provide telehealth services to individuals located in Kentucky and to receive reimbursement for telehealth services provided to individuals located in Kentucky; define "behavioral health professional."

Summary of Amendment: House Floor Amendment 2 -- D. Frazier

Summary Amend definition of "telehealth" to exclude certain basic communications between a provider and a patient.

Summary of Amendment: House Floor Amendment 3 -- K. Moser

Summary Require that reimbursements paid to rural health clinics for telehealth services include an originating site fee and that Medicaid reimbursements paid to rural health clinics for telehealth services include a supplemental reimbursement.

Summary of Amendment: House Floor Amendment 4 -- K. Moser

Summary Amend the definition of telehealth to exclude certain basic communications between a provider and a patient; require the payment of an originating site fee to rural health clinics, federally qualified health centers, and federally qualified health center look-alikes; require that reimbursements paid to rural health clinics, federally qualified health centers, and federally qualified health center look-alikes include a supplemental reimbursement; permit Medicaid managed care organizations and insurers to utilize audits for medical coding accuracy.

Summary of Amendment: Senate Committee Substitute 1

Summary Retain original provisions; establish that certain administrative regulations for telehealth shall be no more restrictive than administrative regulations for in-person services; permit the Department for Medicaid Services, managed care organizations, and insurers to enter into an contractual agreement with providers for lower reimbursement rates for telehealth services; make technical corrections; Effective January 1, 2022.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 194A.105, 205.510, 205.559, 205.5591
Acts Chapter 67: 194A.105, 205.510, 205.559, 205.5591, 342.315
House Committee Substitute 1: 194A.105, 205.510, 205.559, 205.5591, 342.315
Senate Committee Substitute 1: 194A.105, 205.510, 205.559, 205.5591, 342.315
Current: 194A.105, 205.510, 205.559, 205.5591, 342.315