NC S533

Department of Health and Human Services shall create an interagency task force to study telemedicine expansion and health home initiatives for patients with chronic conditions.

Task force shall study requiring health insurers, HMOs, Medicaid, and the State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees to provide equal coverage and reimbursement for telemedicine services as in-person consultations.

Task force shall study implementing a health home initiative enabling Medicaid enrollees and patients with multiple chronic conditions to have coordinated care through health information technology.

Telemedicine is defined as synchronous video conferencing, remote patient monitoring, and asynchronous health image transmissions using mobile devices or telecommunications technology for diagnosis or treatment.

Task force must report findings and recommendations to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services by December 1, 2014.