SB323 Summary

• Defines "telemedicine services" as electronic technology or media (interactive audio/video) for diagnosing, treating, or monitoring patients, excluding audio-only calls, emails, faxes, and online questionnaires.

• Requires all health insurers, group health plans, and health maintenance organizations to provide coverage for telemedicine services on the same basis as face-to-face services when appropriate.

• Prohibits insurers from excluding services solely because they are provided via telemedicine and from requiring pre-authorization for emergent telemedicine services.

• Allows insurers to impose deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance for telemedicine services only if they do not exceed amounts applicable to the same services provided in-person, and prohibits separate dollar maximums or time-based limitations for telemedicine.

• Applies to all insurance policies delivered or issued in Alabama on and after January 1, 2020, with exceptions for short-term travel, accident-only, limited disease coverage, and Medicare-related policies.