Sec. 531.02162. MEDICAID SERVICES PROVIDED THROUGH TELEMEDICINE MEDICAL SERVICES AND TELEHEALTH SERVICES TO CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS

(a) In this section, "child with special health care needs" has the meaning assigned by Section 35.0022, Health and Safety Code.

(b) The commission by rule shall establish policies that permit reimbursement under the state Medicaid and children's health insurance program for services provided through telemedicine medical services and telehealth services to children with special health care needs.

(c) The policies required under this section must:

(1) be designed to:

(A) prevent unnecessary travel and encourage efficient use of telemedicine medical services and telehealth services for children with special health care needs in all suitable circumstances; and

(B) ensure in a cost-effective manner the availability to a child with special health care needs of services appropriately performed using telemedicine medical services and telehealth services that are comparable to the same types of services available to that child without the use of telemedicine medical services and telehealth services; and

(2) provide for reimbursement of multiple providers of different services who participate in a single telemedicine medical services and telehealth services session for a child with special health care needs, if the commission determines that reimbursing each provider for the session is cost-effective in comparison to the costs that would be involved in obtaining the services from providers without the use of telemedicine medical services and telehealth services, including the costs of transportation and lodging and other direct costs.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 959, Sec. 2, eff. June 14, 2001. Renumbered from Government Code Sec. 531.02161 by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1275, Sec. 2(63), eff. Sept. 1, 2003.