100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2017 and 2018
HB2907

 

Introduced , by Rep. Patricia R. Bellock

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
305 ILCS 5/5-5.25
305 ILCS 5/5-5.25a new

    Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In a provision concerning access to psychiatric mental health services via telepsychiatry, provides that the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall not require that a physician or other licensed health care professional be physically present in the same room as the patient for the entire time during which the patient is receiving telepsychiatry services. Provides that the Department shall not require that a physician or other licensed healthcare professional be physically present in the same room as the patient for the entire time during which the patient is receiving telemedicine services. Defines "telemedicine" as the use of a telecommunication system to provide medical services for the purpose of evaluation and treatment when the patient is at one location and the rendering provider is at another location.


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FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB2907LRB100 07143 KTG 21435 b

1    AN ACT concerning public aid.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Illinois Public Aid Code is amended by
5changing Section 5-5.25 and by adding Section 5-5.25a as
6follows:
 
7    (305 ILCS 5/5-5.25)
8    Sec. 5-5.25. Access to psychiatric mental health services.
9The General Assembly finds that providing access to psychiatric
10mental health services in a timely manner will improve the
11quality of life for persons suffering from mental illness and
12will contain health care costs by avoiding the need for more
13costly inpatient hospitalization. The Department of Healthcare
14and Family Services shall reimburse psychiatrists and
15federally qualified health centers as defined in Section
161905(l)(2)(B) of the federal Social Security Act for mental
17health services provided by psychiatrists, as authorized by
18Illinois law, to recipients via telepsychiatry. The
19Department, by rule, shall establish: (i) criteria for such
20services to be reimbursed, including appropriate facilities
21and equipment to be used at both sites and requirements for a
22physician or other licensed health care professional to be
23present at the site where the patient is located; however, the

 

 

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1Department shall not require that a physician or other licensed
2health care professional be physically present in the same room
3as the patient for the entire time during which the patient is
4receiving telepsychiatry services; , and (ii) a method to
5reimburse providers for mental health services provided by
6telepsychiatry.
7    On and after July 1, 2012, the Department shall reduce any
8rate of reimbursement for services or other payments or alter
9any methodologies authorized by this Code to reduce any rate of
10reimbursement for services or other payments in accordance with
11Section 5-5e.
12(Source: P.A. 97-689, eff. 6-14-12.)
 
13    (305 ILCS 5/5-5.25a new)
14    Sec. 5-5.25a. Telemedicine services. As used in this
15Section, "telemedicine" means the use of a telecommunication
16system to provide medical services for the purpose of
17evaluation and treatment when the patient is at one location
18and the rendering provider is at another location. The
19Department shall not require that a physician or other licensed
20health care professional be physically present in the same room
21as the patient for the entire time during which the patient is
22receiving telemedicine services.