Establishes a statewide telemedicine/telehealth task force to study and report to governor and legislature on telemedicine and telehealth systems

7 Co-sponsors

• David Koon
• David Gantt
• RoAnn Destito
• Donna Lupardo
• Alec Brook-Krasny
• Dennis H. Gabryszak
• William Boyland

5 Multi-sponsors

• Inez Barron
• James F. Brennan
• Crystal Peoples-Stokes
• Annette Robinson
• Michelle Schimel

BILL NUMBER:A1766A

Title of bill

An act to establish the statewide telemedicine/telehealth task force, and providing for its powers and duties

Purpose

To provide a framework for the development of telehealth an telemedicine programs.

Summary of specific provisions

This legislation establishes the telehealth/telemedicine task force consisting of seventeen members from government and the healthcare community. The taskforce shall make recom- mendations to the governor and the legislature on the following:

-assessment of existing telehealth programs and recommendations for expansion

-a plan to develop telemedicine and telehealth systems including: health education, preventive and primary care, specialty diagnostic and clinical services, taking into account access to care by the medically underserved, residents of remote and rural areas, and other special populations

- standards in the application of telemedicine, telehealth and medical informatics including clinical efficacy, cost effectiveness and quality of care

- definitions of professional conduct related to telepractice, including patient confidentiality and competence in using technology by licensed professionals;

-Methods for ensuring patient safety and the use of appropriately licensed professionals in telemedicine; and

- the methodology for determining the payment for telemedicine and tele- health services under medical assistance services and other insurance coverage.

Justification

One measure of a community's quality of life is the availability, accessibility and quality of its health care services. The Internet and other electronic technologies have the potential to fundamentally reshape health care service delivery in ways that improve quality of and access to care in a cost-efficient manner. Technology can bring cutting-edge health care to any location, help reduce and prevent medication errors and enhance information about state-of-the-art health care.

Large segments of New York's population in rural and other medically underserved areas have difficulty accessing primary health care and specialty services as well as health education. Providers in these communities are often isolated from mentors, colleagues and information necessary to provide optimal patient care. The purpose of this bill is

to serve as catalyst to expand and improve telehealth and telemedicine programs in communities across the State. Through an integrated telecom- munications system, patients and providers across the continuum of care can have increased access to medical treatment and state-of the-art health care, as well as educational and professional training opportu- nities.

Congress has recognized these benefits in authorizing Medicare reimbursement for telemedicine services. However, the issues are more complex at the state level because each state has the authority to set its own requirements for licensure and credentialing, as well as differ- ent rules for insurance and Medicaid programs.

Prior legislative history

A.9033 of 2001 A.7155 of 2003 A.2073 of 2005 A.422C of 2007/2000. Passed Assembly.

Fiscal implications

To be determined

Effective date

Immediately