DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 553 Original 2020 Regular Session Crews
Abstract: Establishes the La. Remote Patient Monitoring Program Law.
Proposed law defines "remote patient monitoring services" as the delivery of home health services
using telecommunications technology to enhance the delivery of home health care, including but not
limited to all of the following:
(1)Monitoring of clinical patient data such as weight, blood pressure, pulse, pulse oximetry, and
other condition-specific data, such as blood glucose.
(2)Medication adherence monitoring.
(3)Interactive video conferencing with or without digital image upload.
Proposed law authorizes a patient who meet the requirements of proposed law to use remote patient
monitoring services provided through telehealth if the patient is capable and willing to use home
telehealth and can maintain performance of needed tasks, or has the availability of informal
caregivers to help with remote patient monitoring through telehealth.
Proposed law requires a patient to meet all of the following criteria to qualify for participation in
remote patient monitoring services:
(1)Be diagnosed, in the previous 18 months, with one or more chronic conditions, as defined
by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
(2)Have a recent history of costly service use due to one or more chronic conditions as
evidenced by two or more hospitalizations, including emergency room visits, in the last 12
months.
(3)Have a recommendation from the patient's healthcare provider for disease management
services through remote patient monitoring.
Proposed law requires remote patient monitoring services through telehealth to consist of an
assessment, problem identification, and evaluation and the implementation of a management plan.
Proposed law establishes minimum requirements for any telehealth equipment and network used for
remote patient monitoring services. Proposed law provides that remote patient monitoring services shall be a covered service in the La.
medical assistance program subject to the following limitations:
(1)A one-time telehealth installation and training fee for remote patient monitoring services may
also be reimbursed at a maximum of two installation and training fees per calendar year.
(2)Only La-based telehealth programs affiliated with a La. healthcare facility are eligible.
(3)No geographic restrictions shall be placed on the delivery of remote patient monitoring
services in the home setting other than requiring the patient reside within the state of La.
(4)The originating site shall be eligible to receive a facility fee, but a facility fee shall not be
payable to the distant site.
(Adds R.S. 40:1227.1-1227.8 and 1248.1)