Chapter 384 Oregon Laws 2009

AN ACT

SB 24

Relating to health benefit plan coverage of telemedical services; creating new provisions; and amending ORS 750.055 and 750.333.

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

SECTION 1. Section 2 of this 2009 Act is added to and made a part of the Insurance Code.

SECTION 2. (1) As used in this section:

(a) “Health benefit plan” has the meaning given that term in ORS 743.730.

(b) “Originating site” means the physical location of the patient receiving a telemedical health service.

(c) “Telemedical” means delivered through a two-way video communication that allows a health professional to interact with a patient who is at an originating site.

(2) A health benefit plan must provide coverage of a telemedical health service if:

(a) The plan provides coverage of the health service when provided in person by the health professional;

(b) The health service is medically necessary; and

(c) The health service does not duplicate or supplant a health service that is available to the patient in person.

(3) An originating site for a telemedical health service subject to subsection (2) of this section includes but is not limited to a:

(a) Hospital;

(b) Rural health clinic;

(c) Federally qualified health center;

(d) Physician’s office;

(e) Community mental health center;

(f) Skilled nursing facility;

(g) Renal dialysis center; or

(h) Site where public health services are provided.

(4) A plan may not distinguish between originating sites that are rural and urban in providing coverage under subsection (2) of this section.

(5) A health benefit plan may subject coverage of a telemedical health service under subsection (2) of this section to all terms and conditions of the plan, including but not limited to deductible, copayment or coinsurance requirements that are applicable to coverage of a comparable health service provided in person.

(6) This section does not require a health benefit plan to reimburse a provider for a health service that is not a covered benefit under the plan or to reimburse a health professional who is not a covered provider under the plan.

SECTION 3. ORS 750.055, as amended by section 5, chapter 22, Oregon Laws 2008, is amended to read:

750.055. (1) The following provisions of the Insurance Code apply to health care service contractors to the extent not inconsistent with the express provisions of ORS 750.005 to 750.095:

(a) ORS 705.137, 705.139, 731.004 to 731.150, 731.162, 731.216 to 731.362, 731.382, 731.385, 731.386, 731.390, 731.398 to 731.430, 731.428, 731.450, 731.454, 731.488, 731.504, 731.508, 731.509, 731.510, 731.511, 731.512, 731.574 to 731.620, 731.592, 731.594, 731.640 to 731.652, 731.730, 731.731, 731.735, 731.737, 731.750, 731.752, 731.804 and 731.844 to 731.992 and section 2, chapter 22, Oregon Laws 2008.

(b) ORS 732.215, 732.220, 732.230, 732.245, 732.250, 732.320, 732.325 and 732.517 to 732.592, not including ORS 732.582.

(d) ORS chapter 734.

(e) ORS 742.001 to 742.009, 742.013, 742.061, 742.065, 742.150 to 742.162, 742.400, 742.520 to 742.540, 743.010, 743.013, 743.018 to 743.030, 743.050, 743.100 to 743.109, 743.402, 743.472, 743.492, 743.495, 743.498, 743.522, 743.523, 743.524, 743.526, 743.527, 743.528, 743.529, 743.549 to 743.552, 743.560, 743.600 to 743.610, 743.650 to 743.664, 743.804, 743.807, 743.808, 743.814 to 743.839, 743.842, 743.845, 743.847, 743.854, 743.856, 743.857, 743.858, 743.859, 743.861, 743.862, 743.863, 743.864, 743.911, 743.913, 743A.010, 743A.012, 743A.036, 743A.048, 743A.062, 743A.064, 743A.066, 743A.068, 743A.070, 743A.080, 743A.084, 743A.088, 743A.090, 743A.100, 743A.104, 743A.110, 743A.140, 743A.148, 743A.160, 743A.164, 743A.168, 743A.184, 743A.188 and 743A.190 and section 2 of this 2009 Act.

(f) The provisions of ORS chapter 744 relating to the regulation of insurance producers.

(g) ORS 746.005 to 746.140, 746.160, 746.220 to 746.370, 746.600, 746.605, 746.607, 746.608, 746.610, 746.615, 746.625, 746.635, 746.650, 746.655, 746.660, 746.668, 746.670, 746.675, 746.680 and 746.690.

(h) ORS 743A.024, except in the case of group practice health maintenance organizations that are federally qualified pursuant to Title XIII of the Public Health Service Act unless the patient is referred by a physician associated with a group practice health maintenance organization.

(i) ORS 735.600 to 735.650.

(j) ORS 743.680 to 743.689.

(k) ORS 744.700 to 744.740.

(L) ORS 743.730 to 743.773.

(m) ORS 731.485, except in the case of a group practice health maintenance organization that is federally qualified pursuant to Title XIII of the Public Health Service Act and that wholly owns and operates an in-house drug outlet.

(2) For the purposes of this section, health care service contractors shall be deemed insurers.

(3) Any for-profit health care service contractor organized under the laws of any other state that is not governed by the insurance laws of the other state is subject to all requirements of ORS chapter 732.

(4) The Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services may, after notice and hearing, adopt reasonable rules not inconsistent with this section and ORS 750.003, 750.005, 750.025 and 750.045 that are deemed necessary for the proper administration of these provisions.

SECTION 4. ORS 750.055, as amended by section 7, chapter 137, Oregon Laws 2003, section 3, chapter 263, Oregon Laws 2003, sections 501 and 502, chapter 22, Oregon Laws 2005, sections 5 and 6, chapter 255, Oregon Laws 2005, section 5, chapter 418, Oregon Laws 2005, section 3, chapter 128, Oregon Laws 2007, section 9, chapter 182, Oregon Laws 2007, section 6, chapter 313, Oregon Laws 2007, section 4, chapter 504, Oregon Laws 2007, section 4, chapter 566, Oregon Laws 2007, section 4, chapter 872, Oregon Laws 2007, and section 6, chapter 22, Oregon Laws 2008, is amended to read:

750.055. (1) The following provisions of the Insurance Code apply to health care service contractors to the extent not inconsistent with the express provisions of ORS 750.005 to 750.095:

(b) ORS 732.215, 732.220, 732.230, 732.245, 732.250, 732.320, 732.325 and 732.517 to 732.592, not including ORS 732.582.

(d) ORS chapter 734.

(e) ORS 742.001 to 742.009, 742.013, 742.061, 742.065, 742.150 to 742.162, 742.400, 742.520 to 742.540, 743.010, 743.013, 743.018 to 743.030, 743.050, 743.100 to 743.109, 743.402, 743.472, 743.492, 743.495, 743.498, 743.522, 743.523, 743.524, 743.526, 743.527, 743.528, 743.529, 743.549 to 743.552, 743.560, 743.600 to 743.610, 743.650 to 743.656, 743.804, 743.807, 743.808, 743.814 to 743.839, 743.842, 743.845, 743.847, 743.854, 743.856, 743.857, 743.858, 743.859, 743.861, 743.862, 743.863, 743.864, 743.911, 743.913, 743A.010, 743A.012, 743A.036, 743A.048, 743A.062, 743A.064, 743A.066, 743A.068, 743A.070, 743A.080, 743A.084, 743A.088, 743A.090, 743A.100, 743A.104, 743A.110, 743A.140, 743A.148, 743A.160, 743A.164, 743A.168, 743A.184 and 743A.190 and section 2 of this 2009 Act.

(f) The provisions of ORS chapter 744 relating to the regulation of insurance producers.

(i) ORS 735.600 to 735.650.

(j) ORS 743.680 to 743.689.

(k) ORS 744.700 to 744.740.

(L) ORS 743.730 to 743.773.

(2) For the purposes of this section, health care service contractors shall be deemed insurers.

SECTION 5. ORS 750.333, as amended by section 7, chapter 22, Oregon Laws 2008, is amended to read:

750.333. (1) The following provisions of the Insurance Code apply to trusts carrying out a multiple employer welfare arrangement:

(a) ORS 731.004 to 731.150, 731.162, 731.216 to 731.268, 731.296 to 731.316, 731.324, 731.328, 731.378, 731.386, 731.390, 731.398, 731.406, 731.410, 731.414, 731.418 to 731.434, 731.454, 731.484, 731.486, 731.488, 731.512, 731.574 to 731.620, 731.640 to 731.652 and 731.804 to 731.992.

(b) ORS 733.010 to 733.050, 733.140 to 733.170, 733.210, 733.510 to 733.680 and 733.695 to 733.780.

(d) ORS 742.001 to 742.009, 742.013, 742.061 and 742.400.

(e) ORS 743.028, 743.053, 743.524, 743.526, 743.527, 743.528, 743.529, 743.530, 743.560, 743.562, 743.600, 743.601, 743.602, 743.610, 743.730 to 743.773 (except 743.760 to 743.773), 743.801, 743.804, 743.807, 743.808, 743.814 to 743.839, 743.842, 743.845, 743.847, 743.854, 743.856, 743.857, 743.858, 743.859, 743.861, 743.862, 743.863, 743.864, 743A.012, 743A.064, 743A.080, 743A.100, 743A.104, 743A.110 and 743A.184.

(f) ORS 743A.010, 743A.014, 743A.024, 743A.028, 743A.032, 743A.036, 743A.040, 743A.044, 743A.048, 743A.066, 743A.068, 743A.084, 743A.088, 743A.090, 743A.140, 743A.148, 743A.168, 743A.180, 743A.188 and 743A.190 and section 2 of this 2009 Act. Multiple employer welfare arrangements to which ORS 743.730 to 743.773 apply are subject to the sections referred to in this paragraph only as provided in ORS 743.730 to 743.773.

(g) Provisions of ORS chapter 744 relating to the regulation of insurance producers and insurance consultants, and ORS 744.700 to 744.740.

(h) ORS 746.005 to 746.140, 746.160 and 746.220 to 746.370.

(i) ORS 731.592 and 731.594.

(j) Section 2, chapter 22, Oregon Laws 2008.

(2) For the purposes of this section:

(a) A trust carrying out a multiple employer welfare arrangement shall be considered an insurer.

(b) References to certificates of authority shall be considered references to certificates of multiple employer welfare arrangement.

(3) The provision of health benefits under ORS 750.301 to 750.341 shall be considered to be the transaction of health insurance.

SECTION 6. ORS 750.333, as amended by section 4, chapter 263, Oregon Laws 2003, section 11, chapter 182, Oregon Laws 2007, section 8, chapter 313, Oregon Laws 2007, section 6, chapter 504, Oregon Laws 2007, section 6, chapter 566, Oregon Laws 2007, section 6, chapter 872, Oregon Laws 2007, and section 8, chapter 22, Oregon Laws 2008, is amended to read:

750.333. (1) The following provisions of the Insurance Code apply to trusts carrying out a multiple employer welfare arrangement:

(b) ORS 733.010 to 733.050, 733.140 to 733.170, 733.210, 733.510 to 733.680 and 733.695 to 733.780.

(d) ORS 742.001 to 742.009, 742.013, 742.061 and 742.400.

(f) ORS 743A.010, 743A.014, 743A.024, 743A.028, 743A.032, 743A.036, 743A.040, 743A.044, 743A.048, 743A.066, 743A.068, 743A.084, 743A.088, 743A.090, 743A.140, 743A.148, 743A.168, 743A.180 and 743A.190 and section 2 of this 2009 Act. Multiple employer welfare arrangements to which ORS 743.730 to 743.773 apply are subject to the sections referred to in this paragraph only as provided in ORS 743.730 to 743.773.

(g) Provisions of ORS chapter 744 relating to the regulation of insurance producers and insurance consultants, and ORS 744.700 to 744.740.

(h) ORS 746.005 to 746.140, 746.160 and 746.220 to 746.370.

(i) ORS 731.592 and 731.594.

(j) Section 2, chapter 22, Oregon Laws 2008.

(2) For the purposes of this section:

(a) A trust carrying out a multiple employer welfare arrangement shall be considered an insurer.

(b) References to certificates of authority shall be considered references to certificates of multiple employer welfare arrangement.

(3) The provision of health benefits under ORS 750.301 to 750.341 shall be considered to be the transaction of health insurance.

SECTION 7. ORS 750.333, as amended by section 8, chapter 137, Oregon Laws 2003, section 4, chapter 263, Oregon Laws 2003, section 3, chapter 446, Oregon Laws 2003, section 6, chapter 418, Oregon Laws 2005, section 12, chapter 182, Oregon Laws 2007, section 9, chapter 313, Oregon Laws 2007, section 7, chapter 504, Oregon Laws 2007, section 7, chapter 566, Oregon Laws 2007, section 7, chapter 872, Oregon Laws 2007, and section 9, chapter 22, Oregon Laws 2008, is amended to read:

750.333. (1) The following provisions of the Insurance Code apply to trusts carrying out a multiple employer welfare arrangement:

(b) ORS 733.010 to 733.050, 733.140 to 733.170, 733.210, 733.510 to 733.680 and 733.695 to 733.780.

(d) ORS 742.001 to 742.009, 742.013, 742.061 and 742.400.

(f) ORS 743A.010, 743A.014, 743A.024, 743A.028, 743A.032, 743A.036, 743A.040, 743A.048, 743A.066, 743A.068, 743A.084, 743A.088, 743A.090, 743A.140, 743A.148, 743A.168, 743A.180 and 743A.190 and section 2 of this 2009 Act. Multiple employer welfare arrangements to which ORS 743.730 to 743.773 apply are subject to the sections referred to in this paragraph only as provided in ORS 743.730 to 743.773.

(g) Provisions of ORS chapter 744 relating to the regulation of insurance producers and insurance consultants, and ORS 744.700 to 744.740.

(h) ORS 746.005 to 746.140, 746.160 and 746.220 to 746.370.

(i) ORS 731.592 and 731.594.

(j) Section 2, chapter 22, Oregon Laws 2008.

(2) For the purposes of this section:

(a) A trust carrying out a multiple employer welfare arrangement shall be considered an insurer.

(b) References to certificates of authority shall be considered references to certificates of multiple employer welfare arrangement.

(3) The provision of health benefits under ORS 750.301 to 750.341 shall be considered to be the transaction of health insurance.

SECTION 8. Section 2 of this 2009 Act and the amendments to ORS 750.055 and 750.333 by sections 3 to 7 of this 2009 Act apply to health benefit plans contracted for or renewed on or after the effective date of this 2009 Act.

Approved by the Governor June 18, 2009

Filed in the office of Secretary of State June 18, 2009

Effective date January 1, 2010

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