HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 121
(By Delegates Perdue, Fleischauer, Diserio, Staggers, Eldridge, Kinsey, Moore, Ellington, Cowles, Arvon, Border, Sobonya and Miller)
[Originating in the Committee on Health and Human Resources; Reported March 3, 2014]
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study the possible effects on insurance billing; reimbursement rates; and practice authorization upon adopting telemedicine initiatives.
WHEREAS, West Virginia faces challenges in meeting the needs of its citizens relating accessibility to health care; and
WHEREAS, Telemedicine is the use of medical information exchanged from one site to another via electronic communications to consult on a patient’s health; and
WHEREAS, The integration of telemedicine is being incorporated into hospitals, specialty departments, home health agencies and private physician offices; and
WHEREAS, Services provided through telemedicine include primary care and specialist referral services, remote patient monitoring, and consumer medical and health information; and
WHEREAS, Telemedicine delivery mechanisms include networked programs, point-to-point connections, monitoring center links, and web-based e-health patient service sites; and
WHEREAS, Studies suggest that telemedicine can improve and expand access to care for under served patients; and
WHEREAS, Telemedicine may increase cost-savings benefits for Medicaid and Medicare spending; and
WHEREAS, West Virginians with chronic illnesses can stay at home and decrease the number of visits to hospitals and emergency rooms; and therefore be it,
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to conduct study the possible effects on insurance billing; reimbursement rates; and practice authorization upon adopting telemedicine initiatives.
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2015, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.