Department of Health and Social Services
Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance
PROPOSED
PUBLIC NOTICE
Telemedicine
In compliance with the State's Administrative Procedures Act (APA - Title 29, Chapter 101 of the Delaware Code) and under the authority of Title 31 of the Delaware Code, Chapter 5, Section 512, Delaware Health and Social Services (DHSS) / Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance (DMMA) is proposing to amend the Title XIX Delaware Medicaid State Plan to allow for the use of a telemedicine delivery system for providers enrolled under Delaware Medicaid.
Any person who wishes to make written suggestions, compilations of data, testimony, briefs or other written materials concerning the proposed new regulations must submit same to Sharon L. Summers, Planning & Policy Development Unit, Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance, 1901 North DuPont Highway, P.O. Box 906, New Castle, Delaware 19720-0906 or by fax to 302-255-4425 by July 31, 2012.
The action concerning the determination of whether to adopt the proposed regulation will be based upon the results of Department and Division staff analysis and the consideration of the comments and written materials filed by other interested persons.
SUMMARY OF PROPOSAL
The proposed provides notice to the public that the Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance (DMMA) intends to amend the Title XIX State Plan to allow for the use of a telemedicine delivery system for providers enrolled under Delaware Medicaid.
Statutory Authority
Background
For the purposes of Medicaid, telemedicine seeks to improve a patient’s health by permitting two-way, real time interactive communication between the patient, and the physician or practitioner at the distant site. This electronic communication means the use of interactive telecommunications equipment that includes, at a minimum, audio and visual equipment. This definition is modeled on Medicare’s definition of telehealth services (42 CFR §410.78).
According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the Medicaid program and the federal Medicaid statute (Title XIX of the Social Security Act) does not recognize telemedicine as a distinct service. CMS does note, however, that “telemedicine is viewed as a cost-effective alternative to the more traditional face-to-face way of providing medical care” (e.g., face-to-face consultations or examinations between provider and patient) that states can choose to cover under Medicaid and that there is “flexibility inherent in federal law to create innovative payment methodologies for services that incorporate telemedicine technology.”
States may seek a State Plan amendment to allow the use of telemedicine as a delivery system.
Summary of Proposal
The Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance (DMMA) proposes to amend the Medicaid State plan to allow for Medicaid reimbursement for medically necessary telemedicine services, a mode of delivery of health care services for covered services rendered to Medicaid eligible recipients by enrolled Delaware Medicaid providers.
DMMA’s objectives in recognizing telemedicine-provided services include:
The proposed plan amendment, when approved, would allow the following telemedicine services, including delivery of consultation services, office visit evaluation and management services, individual psychotherapy services, pharmacologic management, psychiatric diagnostic interview examinations, end stage renal disease related services, and individual medical nutrition therapy via an interactive telecommunications system. For these services, an interactive telecommunications system is considered to meet the requirements of a face-to-face encounter.
The appropriate State plan pages will be amended and the appropriate DMAP provider manuals will be updated with applicable coverage parameters and billing guidelines.
The provisions of this state plan amendment are subject to approval by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Fiscal Impact Statement
DMMA PROPOSED REGULATIONS #12-30
REVISION:
ATTACHMENT 3.1-A
Page 12
STATE PLAN UNDER TITLE XIX OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT
State/Territory: DELAWARE
LIMITATIONS ON AMOUNT, DURATION, AND SCOPE OF MEDICAL AND
REMEDIAL CARE AND SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE CATEGORICALLY NEEDY
27. Telemedicine Services
The Delaware Medical Assistance Program (DMAP) covers medically necessary health services furnished to eligible DMAP members as specified in the Medicaid State Plan. To facilitate the ability of recipients to receive medically necessary services, DMAP allows for the use of a telemedicine delivery system for providers enrolled under Delaware Medicaid.
Telemedicine services under DMAP are subject to the specifications, conditions, and limitations set by the State. Telemedicine is the practice of health care delivery by a practitioner who is located at a site, known as the distant site, other than the site where the patient is located, known as the originating site, for the purposes of consultation, evaluation, diagnosis, or recommendation of treatment.
Providers rendering telemedicine must be able to use interactive telecommunications equipment that includes, at a minimum, audio and video equipment permitting two-way, real time, interactive communication between the recipient and the practitioner to provide and support care when distance separates participants who are in different geographical locations.
Telephone conversations, chart reviews, electronic mail messages, facsimile transmissions or internet services for online medical evaluations are not considered telemedicine.
All equipment required to provide telemedicine services is the responsibility of the providers.
PROVIDER QUALIFICATIONS
In order to provide telemedicine under DMAP, providers at both the originating and distant site must be enrolled with DMAP or have contractual agreements with the managed care organizations (MCOs) and must meet all requirements for their discipline as specified in the Medicaid State Plan.
In order for services delivered through telemedicine technology from DMAP or MCOs to be covered, healthcare practitioners must:
COVERED SERVICES
DMAP covers medically necessary telemedicine services and procedures covered under the Title XIX State Plan for the diagnosis and treatment of an illness or injury as indicated by the eligible recipient’s condition. All telemedicine services must be furnished within the limits of provider program policies and within the scope and practice of the provider’s professional standards as described and outlined in DMAP Provider Manuals which can be found at: http://www.dmap.state.de.us/downloads/manuals.html
NON-COVERED SERVICES
If a service is not covered in a face-to-face setting, it is not covered if provided through telemedicine. A service provided through telemedicine is subject to the same program restrictions, limitations and coverage which exist for the service when not provided through telemedicine.
(Break in Continuity of Sections)
ATTACHMENT 4.19-B
Page 24
STATE PLAN UNDER TITLE XIX OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT
State/Territory: DELAWARE
METHODS AND STANDARDS FOR ESTABLISHING PAYMENT RATES (Continued)
27. TELEMEDICINE SERVICES
Payment for services delivered at the distant site via telemedicine is made according to the standard Delaware Medical Assistance Program (DMAP) payment methodology for the comparable in-person service and provider type.
In addition to the payment for the actual service rendered, qualifying originating patient sites are reimbursed 98% of the Medicare rate for the facility fee for dates of services on or after July 1, 2012.
Fee schedules for telemedicine-provided services are available on the DMAP website at: http://www.dmap.state.de.us/downloads.
Except as otherwise noted in the Medicaid State Plan, State-developed fee schedule rates are the same for both government and private providers.
Separate reimbursement is not made for the use of technological equipment and systems associated with a telemedicine application to render the service.
