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Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and before the summary and inserting the following:
‘Sec. 1. 24-A MRSA §4316  is enacted to read:
§ 4316.  Coverage for telemedicine services
 
1.  Definition.     For the purposes of this section, "telemedicine," as it pertains to the delivery of health care services, means the use of interactive audio, video or other electronic media for the purpose of diagnosis, consultation or treatment. "Telemedicine" does not include the use of audio-only telephone, facsimile machine or e-mail.
 
2.  Coverage of telemedicine services.    A carrier offering a health plan in this State may not deny coverage on the basis that the coverage is provided through telemedicine if the health care service would be covered were it provided through in-person consultation between the covered person and a health care provider. Coverage for health care services provided through telemedicine must be determined in a manner consistent with coverage for health care services provided through in-person consultation. A carrier may offer a health plan containing a provision for a deductible, copayment or coinsurance requirement for a health care service provided through telemedicine as long as the deductible, copayment or coinsurance does not exceed the deductible, copayment or coinsurance applicable to an in-person consultation.’
 
SUMMARY
This amendment replaces the bill. The amendment requires that a carrier offering a health plan may not deny coverage for health care services provided through telemedicine if those services would be covered by the carrier were they provided through in-person consultation. The amendment requires that carriers provide coverage for telemedicine in a manner consistent with coverage for health care services provided through in-person consultation and requires that any deductible, copayment or coinsurance for telemedicine may not exceed the deductible, copayment or coinsurance applicable to an in-person consultation.