WEST virginia legislature

2021 regular session

Introduced

House Bill 3182

By Delegate Rowe

[Introduced March 16, 2021; Referred to the Committee on Banking and Insurance then the Judiciary]

A BILL amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-15-23; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-24-46; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-16-19; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §33-25-23; all relating to requiring insurers to provide benefits for telemedicine treatment and evaluation services at the same rate for the same in person medical services.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 15. ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE.

§33-15-23. Coverage for telemedicine service.

Notwithstanding any provision of any policy, provision, contract, plan or agreement to which this article applies, any entity regulated by this article shall, on or after July 1, 2021, provide as benefits to all subscribers and members coverage for telemedicine treatment and evaluation services, as those services are defined in §30-3-13a of this code, at a rate equal to the same services rendered in person.

ARTICLE 16. GROUP ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE.

§33-16-19. Coverage for telemedicine service.

Notwithstanding any provision of any policy, provision, contract, plan or agreement to which this article applies, any entity regulated by this article shall, on or after July 1, 2021, provide as benefits to all subscribers and members coverage for telemedicine treatment and evaluation services, as those services are defined in §30-3-13a of this code, at a rate equal to the same services rendered in person.

ARTICLE 24. HOSPITAL SERVICE CORPORATIONS, MEDICAL SERVICE CORPORATIONS, DENTAL SERVICE CORPORATIONS AND HEALTH SERVICE CORPORATIONS.

§33-24-46. Coverage for telemedicine service.

Notwithstanding any provision of any policy, provision, contract, plan or agreement to which this article applies, any entity regulated by this article shall, on or after July 1, 2021, provide as benefits to all subscribers and members coverage for telemedicine treatment and evaluation services, as those services are defined in §30-3-13a of this code, at a rate equal to the same services rendered in person.

ARTICLE 25. HEALTH CARE CORPORATIONS.

§33-25-23. Coverage for telemedicine service.

Notwithstanding any provision of any policy, provision, contract, plan or agreement to which this article applies, any entity regulated by this article shall, on or after July 1, 2021, provide as benefits to all subscribers and members coverage for telemedicine treatment and evaluation services, as those services are defined in §30-3-13a of this code, at a rate equal to the same services rendered in person.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to require insurers to provide benefits for telemedicine treatment and evaluation services service at the same rate for the same in person medical services.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.