HB 21-1256 Summary

• The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing must promulgate rules specifically relating to entities that deliver health-care or mental health-care services exclusively or predominantly through telemedicine.

• In-person contact between a health-care or mental health-care provider and a patient is not required for telemedicine services covered under the state's medical assistance program, effective on or after July 1, 2006.

• Telemedicine services must meet the same standard of care as in-person visits and may be delivered through interactive audio, video, data communication, telephone, relay calls, audiovisual modalities, and live chat, provided the technologies comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.

• Telemedicine services are subject to reimbursement policies developed pursuant to the medical assistance program and the provisions apply to managed care organizations contracting with the state department under the statewide managed care system.

• The bill is declared necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety.