BEFORE THE Department of Public

health and human services of the

STATE OF MONTANA

 

In the matter of the amendment of ARM 37.79.304 pertaining to updating the HMK evidence of coverage document

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NOTICE OF AMENDMENT

 

TO: All Concerned Persons

 

1. On April 30, 2015, the Department of Public Health and Human Services published MAR Notice No. 37-708 pertaining to the public hearing on the proposed amendment of the above-stated rule at page 429 of the 2015 Montana Administrative Register, Issue Number 8.

 

2. The department has amended the above-stated rule as proposed.

 

3. The department has thoroughly considered the comments and testimony received. A summary of the comments received and the department's responses are as follows:

 

COMMENT #1: The commenter "acknowledges the importance of telemedicine in the delivery of care and appreciates its addition as a benefit" and "requests the department gives consideration to ensuring the term of telemedicine is well defined." The commenter offers "its assistance in this endeavor."

 

RESPONSE #1: The Healthy Montana Kids Evidence of Coverage (EOC) document, July 1, 2015 version, which is proposed to be adopted by reference in MAR Notice No. 37-708, defines telemedicine on page 10 as:  "The use of a secure interactive audio and video, or other telecommunications technology by a

health care provider to deliver health care services at a site other than the site where the patient is located.  Does not include audio only (phone call), e-mail, and/or facsimile transmission." The commenter did not propose either a definition or a change to this definition, and at this time, the department believes the definition in the EOC appropriately describes the added service.

 

          4. This rule amendment is effective July 1, 2015.

 

 

/s/ Susan Callaghan                              /s/ Richard H. Opper                            

Susan Callaghan, Esq.                          Richard H. Opper, Director

Rule Reviewer                                       Public Health and Human Services

 

         

Certified to the Secretary of State June 1, 2015