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• Introduced by Rep. Larry Seaquist, (D-Gig Harbor) (D) on January 22, 2009, provides that in-person contact between a home health care provider and a patient is not required under the state's medical assistance program for home health care services that are delivered through telemedicine; provides coverage and reimbursement by the state's medicaid payment program.(See also Companion SB 5497).
  • Referred to the House Health Care and Wellness Committee on January 22, 2009.
    • Substitute offered in the House on February 20, 2009, to clarify that any licensed home health agency that is eligible for reimbursement under the state's medical assistance programs may be reimbursed for home health services delivered through telemedicine. In order to qualify for reimbursement, however, the service must meet the requirements for a reimbursable skilled nursing visit as defined by the DSHS. The substitute removes the requirement that the established reimbursement rate must be comparable to the rate currently paid for a home health visit and removes the language requiring a home health provider who uses telemedicine to provide the patient with a written statement of rights. It also clarifies that "telemedicine" means the use of telemonitoring to enhance the delivery of certain home health medical services. The substitute passed in the House by voice vote on February 20, 2009.
  • Referred to the House Health & Human Services Appropriations Committee on February 23, 2009.
  • Referred to the House Rules Committee on March 2, 2009.
• Passed in the House (96 to 0) on March 5, 2009. [Vote Details and Comments]
• Received in the Senate on March 7, 2009.
  • Referred to the Senate Health & Long-Term Care Committee on March 7, 2009.
    • Amendment offered in the Senate on March 25, 2009, to add language clarifying that registered nurses should be used when appropriate . The amendment passed in the Senate by voice vote on March 25, 2009.
    • Referred to the Senate Rules Committee on March 25, 2009.
• Passed in the Senate (48 to 0) on April 14, 2009. [Vote Details and Comments]
• Signed by Gov. Christine Gregoire on May 4, 2009, provides that a licensed home health agency that is eligible for reimbursement under the state's medical assistance programs may be reimbursed for home health services delivered through telemedicine. Requires the Department of Social and Health Services, in consultation with home health care service providers, to develop reimbursement rules and requirements for home health rendered through telemedicine. Defines "telemedicine" to mean certain uses of telemonitoring.