ASSEMBLY HOMELAND SECURITY AND STATE PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 3843

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MARCH 16, 2020

      The Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 3843. 

      As reported by the committee, this bill requires health insurance carriers (health, hospital and medical service corporations, health maintenance organizations and insurance companies), as well as the State and School Employees’ Health Benefits Programs and the State Medicaid program, to provide coverage for expenses incurred in:

      (1)  the testing for coronavirus disease 2019, provided that a licensed medical practitioner has issued a medical order for that testing; and

      (2)  the delivery of health care services through telemedicine or telehealth in accordance with the provisions of P.L.2017, c.117 (C.45:1-61 et al.).

      The requirements of the bill remain in effect during the Public Health Emergency and State of Emergency declared by the Governor in Executive Order 103 of 2020.

      The bill requires the coverage to be provided to the same extent as for any other services under the health benefits plan, except that no cost-sharing may be imposed on the coverage provided pursuant to the bill.

      The bill takes effect immediately and applies to all health benefit plans currently in effect in the State, or that are delivered, issued, executed or renewed in this State, or approved for issuance or renewal in this State by the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance, on or after the effective date of the bill.