SB0027 Summary

• Amends Illinois Insurance Code to prohibit health benefit policies from excluding medically necessary services solely because they are delivered through telehealth, requiring coverage on the same basis and rate as in-person treatment.

• Defines telehealth to include four modalities (store and forward technologies, remote monitoring, live consultation, and mobile health) and explicitly includes telepsychiatry and telemedicine services.

• Requires telehealth services to meet specific technical standards including interactive telecommunication systems with audio and video capability for real-time communication, with exceptions allowing email and text messaging for existing patients.

• Mandates that policies providing telehealth services by contracted dietitian nutritionists and certified diabetes educators must also cover in-home services for senior diabetes patients.

• Amends Illinois Public Aid Code to establish payment, reimbursement, and service requirements for telehealth under state fee-for-service and managed care medical assistance programs, with implementation required 60 days after effective date, and repeals prior telepsychiatry reimbursement provisions.