NY S06969

Adds definitions to Public Health Law for "telehealth," "telemedicine," "originating site," "distant site," and "health care provider" to establish regulatory framework for remote healthcare delivery using FDA-approved telecommunications systems

Requires individual and group health insurance policies providing hospital, medical, or surgical care to cover telemedicine services that are otherwise covered under the policy, subject to deductibles, coinsurance, and managed care tools consistent with in-person services

Mandates coverage of telemedicine services through medical expense indemnity corporations, hospital service corporations, and health service corporations under the same terms as traditional insurance policies

Extends Medicaid (medical assistance) coverage to include telemedicine services meeting federal Medicare requirements and minimum telehealth services required under Public Health Law Section 3614

Takes effect January 1, 2013 and applies to all policies and contracts issued, renewed, modified, altered or amended on or after that date