ASSEMBLY HEALTH COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

ASSEMBLY, Nos. 4179 and 4200

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 23, 2020

      The Assembly Health Committee reports favorably the Assembly Committee Substitute for Assembly Bill Nos. 4179 and 4200.

      This bill revises the telemedicine and telehealth law, P.L.2017, c.117 (C.45:1-1 et al.), to require health benefits plans, Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare, and the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) and School Employees’ Health Benefits Program (SEHBP), to provide expanded coverage for services provided using telemedicine and telehealth.

      Specifically, the bill requires that reimbursement for telemedicine and telehealth services be equal to the reimbursement rate for the same services when they are provided in person.  Current law provides telemedicine and telehealth services may be reimbursed up to the amount at which the service would be reimbursed if provided in person.

      The bill prohibits health benefits plans, Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare, and the SHBP and SEHBP from placing restrictions on the electronic or technological platform used to provide telemedicine and telehealth, if the services provided when using that platform would meet the in-person standard of care for that service, and if the platform is otherwise compliant with the requirements of the federal health privacy rule set forth at 45 CFR Parts 160 and 164.