Sec. 62.157. TELEMEDICINE MEDICAL SERVICES.

Text of section as added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 959, Sec. 5

(a) In providing covered benefits to a child with special health care needs, a health plan provider must permit benefits to be provided through telemedicine medical services and telehealth services in accordance with policies developed by the commission.

(b) The policies must provide for:

(1) the availability of covered benefits appropriately provided through telemedicine medical services and telehealth services that are comparable to the same types of covered benefits provided without the use of telemedicine medical services and telehealth services; and

(2) the availability of covered benefits for different services performed by multiple health care providers during a single telemedicine medical services and telehealth services session, if the commission determines that delivery of the covered benefits in that manner 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.

(c) In developing the policies required by Subsection (a), the commission shall consult with:

(1) The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston;

(2) Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center;

(3) the Texas Department of Health;

(4) providers of telemedicine hub sites in this state;

(5) providers of services to children with special health care needs; and

(6) representatives of consumer or disability groups affected by changes to services for children with special health care needs.

Text of section as added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 959, Sec. 5 (a) In providing covered benefits to a child with special health care needs, a health plan provider must permit benefits to be provided through telemedicine medical services and telehealth services in accordance with policies developed by the commission. (b) The policies must provide for: (1) the availability of covered benefits appropriately provided through telemedicine medical services and telehealth services that are comparable to the same types of covered benefits provided without the use of telemedicine medical services and telehealth services; and (2) the availability of covered benefits for different services performed by multiple health care providers during a single telemedicine medical services and telehealth services session, if the commission determines that delivery of the covered benefits in that manner 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. (c) In developing the policies required by Subsection (a), the commission shall consult with: (1) The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston; (2) Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center; (3) the Texas Department of Health; (4) providers of telemedicine hub sites in this state; (5) providers of services to children with special health care needs; and (6) representatives of consumer or disability groups affected by changes to services for children with special health care needs. Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 959, Sec. 5, eff. June 14, 2001.