Washington Revised Code Title 74. Public Assistance § 74.09.658. Home health--Reimbursement--Telemedicine

(1) The home health program shall require registered nurse oversight and intervention, as appropriate. In-person contact between a home health care registered nurse and a patient is not required under the state's medical assistance program for home health services that are: (a) Delivered with the assistance of telemedicine and (b) otherwise eligible for reimbursement as a medically necessary skilled home health nursing visit under the program.

(2) The department or authority, as appropriate, in consultation with home health care service providers shall develop reimbursement rules and, in rule, define the requirements that must be met for a reimbursable skilled nursing visit when services are rendered without a face-to-face visit and are assisted by telemedicine.

(4) Any home health agency licensed under chapter 70.127 RCW and eligible for reimbursement under the medical programs authorized under this chapter may be reimbursed for services under this section if the service meets the requirements for a reimbursable skilled nursing visit.

(5) Nothing in this section shall be construed to alter the scope of practice of any home health care services provider or authorizes the delivery of home health care services in a setting or manner not otherwise authorized by law.

(6) The use of telemedicine is not intended to replace registered nurse health care visits when necessary.

(7) For the purposes of this section, “telemedicine” means the use of telemonitoring to enhance the delivery of certain home health medical services through: