LegalFix

Section 649 - Coverage of telepsychiatric consultations.

UT Code § 31A-22-649 (2019) (N/A)
Copy with citation
Copy as parenthetical citation

(1) As used in this section: (a) "Telehealth services" means the same as that term is defined in Section 26-60-102. (b) "Telepsychiatric consultation" means a consultation between a physician and a board certified psychiatrist, both of whom are licensed to engage in the practice of medicine in the state, that utilizes: (i) the health records of the patient, provided from the patient or the referring physician; (ii) a written, evidence-based patient questionnaire; and (iii) telehealth services that meet industry security and privacy standards, including compliance with the: (A) Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; and (B) Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, Pub. L. No. 111-5, 123 Stat. 226, 467, as amended.

(a) "Telehealth services" means the same as that term is defined in Section 26-60-102.

(b) "Telepsychiatric consultation" means a consultation between a physician and a board certified psychiatrist, both of whom are licensed to engage in the practice of medicine in the state, that utilizes: (i) the health records of the patient, provided from the patient or the referring physician; (ii) a written, evidence-based patient questionnaire; and (iii) telehealth services that meet industry security and privacy standards, including compliance with the: (A) Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; and (B) Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, Pub. L. No. 111-5, 123 Stat. 226, 467, as amended.

(i) the health records of the patient, provided from the patient or the referring physician;

(ii) a written, evidence-based patient questionnaire; and

(iii) telehealth services that meet industry security and privacy standards, including compliance with the: (A) Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; and (B) Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, Pub. L. No. 111-5, 123 Stat. 226, 467, as amended.

(A) Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; and

(B) Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, Pub. L. No. 111-5, 123 Stat. 226, 467, as amended.

(2) Beginning January 1, 2019, a health benefit plan that offers coverage for mental health services shall: (a) provide coverage for a telepsychiatric consultation during or after an initial visit between the patient and a referring in-network physician; (b) provide coverage for a telepsychiatric consultation from an out-of-network board certified psychiatrist if a telepsychiatric consultation is not made available to a physician within seven business days after the initial request is made by the physician to an in-network provider of telepsychiatric consultations; and (c) reimburse for the services described in Subsections (2)(a) and (b) at the equivalent in-network or out-of-network rate set by the health benefit plan after taking into account cost-sharing that may be required under the health benefit plan.

(a) provide coverage for a telepsychiatric consultation during or after an initial visit between the patient and a referring in-network physician;

(b) provide coverage for a telepsychiatric consultation from an out-of-network board certified psychiatrist if a telepsychiatric consultation is not made available to a physician within seven business days after the initial request is made by the physician to an in-network provider of telepsychiatric consultations; and

(c) reimburse for the services described in Subsections (2)(a) and (b) at the equivalent in-network or out-of-network rate set by the health benefit plan after taking into account cost-sharing that may be required under the health benefit plan.

(3) A single telepsychiatric consultation includes all contacts, services, discussion, and information review required to complete an individual request from a referring physician for a patient.

(4) An insurer may satisfy the requirement to cover a telepsychiatric consultation described in Subsection (2)(a) for a patient by: (a) providing coverage for behavioral health treatment, as defined in Section 31A-22-642, in person or using telehealth services; and (b) ensuring that the patient receives an appointment for the behavioral health treatment in person or using telehealth services on a date that is within seven business days after the initial request is made by the in-network referring physician.

(a) providing coverage for behavioral health treatment, as defined in Section 31A-22-642, in person or using telehealth services; and

(b) ensuring that the patient receives an appointment for the behavioral health treatment in person or using telehealth services on a date that is within seven business days after the initial request is made by the in-network referring physician.

(5) A referring physician who uses a telepsychiatric consultation for a patient shall, at the time that the questionnaire described in Subsection (1)(b)(ii) is completed, notify the patient that: (a) the referring physician plans to request a telepsychiatric consultation; and (b) additional charges to the patient may apply.

(a) the referring physician plans to request a telepsychiatric consultation; and

(b) additional charges to the patient may apply.

(6) (a) An insurer may receive a temporary waiver from the department from the requirements in this section if the insurer demonstrates to the department that the insurer is unable to provide the benefits described in this section due to logistical reasons. (b) An insurer that receives a waiver from the department under Subsection (6)(a) is subject to the requirements of this section beginning July 1, 2019.

(a) An insurer may receive a temporary waiver from the department from the requirements in this section if the insurer demonstrates to the department that the insurer is unable to provide the benefits described in this section due to logistical reasons.

(b) An insurer that receives a waiver from the department under Subsection (6)(a) is subject to the requirements of this section beginning July 1, 2019.

(7) This section does not limit an insurer from engaging in activities that ensure payment integrity or facilitate review and investigation of improper practices by health care providers.

LegalFix

Copyright ©2024 LegalFix. All rights reserved. LegalFix is not a law firm, is not licensed to practice law, and does not provide legal advice, services, or representation. The information on this website is an overview of the legal plans you can purchase—or that may be provided by your employer as an employee benefit or by your credit union or other membership group as a membership benefit.

LegalFix provides its members with easy access to affordable legal services through a network of independent law firms. LegalFix, its corporate entity, and its officers, directors, employees, agents, and contractors do not provide legal advice, services, or representation—directly or indirectly.

The articles and information on the site are not legal advice and should not be relied upon—they are for information purposes only. You should become a LegalFix member to get legal services from one of our network law firms.

You should not disclose confidential or potentially incriminating information to LegalFix—you should only communicate such information to your network law firm.

The benefits and legal services described in the LegalFix legal plans are not always available in all states or with all plans. See the legal plan Benefit Overview and the more comprehensive legal plan contract during checkout for coverage details in your state.

Use of this website, the purchase of legal plans, and access to the LegalFix networks of law firms are subject to the LegalFix Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

We have updated our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Disclosures. By continuing to browse this site, you agree to our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Disclosures.
Section 649 - Coverage of telepsychiatric consultations.