HI HB1272

Requires Hawaii's Medicaid managed care and fee-for-service programs to cover telehealth services on equal terms with in-person services.

Mandates coverage for psychiatric services delivered through a collaborative care team consisting of a primary care provider, behavioral health care manager present in the office, and a remote psychiatric consultant who must be a licensed psychiatrist in Hawaii.

Specifies that reimbursement for telehealth services must equal reimbursement for equivalent face-to-face services with no geographic restrictions or originating site requirements.

Defines key terms including "behavioral health care manager" (nurse, social worker, counselor, or psychologist coordinating mental health care), "telehealth" (including video conferencing, web-based communication, and asynchronous information exchange), and eligible originating sites (offices, homes, schools, workplaces, etc.).

Takes effect July 1, 2075.