INSURANCE PARITY; TELEMEDICINE H.B. 4579 (S-4):
SUMMARY OF BILL
REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE
House Bill 4579 (Substitute S-4 as reported)
Sponsor: Representative Natalie Price
House Committee: Health Policy
Senate Committee: Health Policy
CONTENT
The bill would amend Chapter 34 (Disability Insurance Policies) of the Insurance Code to require an insurer to provide at least the same coverage for a service that was provided through telemedicine as if that service involved face-to-face contact between the health care professional and the patient.
BRIEF RATIONALE
The COVID-19 pandemic expanded the use of telemedicine services. According to testimony, some patients, including those who live in a rural area, are physically disabled, or are veterans use telemedicine services at higher rates; however, now that the Federal public health emergency for COVID-19 is over, there are gaps in insurance coverage for telemedicine services. Some people believe that losing the expansion in health coverage that telemedicine facilitated could lead to health consequences for residents of Michigan, and so requiring parity between in-person health services and telemedicine services has been recommended.
PREVIOUS LEGISLATION
(This section does not provide a comprehensive account of previous legislative efforts on this subject matter.)
House Bill 4579 is a reintroduction of Senate Bill 898 from the 2019-2020 Legislative Session.
Legislative Analyst: Alex Krabill
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Date Completed: 3-14-24 Fiscal Analyst: Nathan Leaman
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.