NY A09129

Defines five new terms in Public Health Law: "distant site" (provider location), "originating site" (patient location), "health care provider" (licensed practitioners and facilities), "telehealth" (remote health care via phones and electronic devices), and "telemedicine" (real-time two-way audiovisual clinical services).

Requires individual and group health insurance policies providing comprehensive hospital, medical, or surgical coverage to offer coverage for telemedicine and telehealth services that meet federal Medicare requirements, subject to the same deductibles, coinsurance, and utilization management as non-remote services.

Extends telemedicine and telehealth coverage requirements to medical expense indemnity corporations, hospital service corporations, and health service corporations providing comprehensive health coverage.

Requires long-term care insurance policies to include telemedicine and telehealth services in home care benefits.

Mandates that Medical Assistance (Medicaid) shall not exclude payment for telemedicine and telehealth services meeting federal requirements, effective January 1, 2015.