WA People
BILL · 2019–20 SESSION · LATEST VERSION ESSB 5385

SB 5385: Telemedicine reimbursement

Concerning telemedicine payment parity. (REVISED FOR ENGROSSED: Reimbursing for telemedicine services at the same rate as in person. )

Summary

  • Requires health plans to pay the same rate for a health care service provided through telemedicine as an in-person service.
  • Permits hospitals, hospital systems, telemedicine companies, and provider groups of 11 or more to negotiate and agree to a telemedicine reimbursement rate that differs from in-person rates.
  • Requires reimbursement for facility fees to be subject to a negotiated agreement.
  • Removes the requirement that services provided through store and forward technology have an associated office visit.
  • Directs the telemedicine collaborative to study store and forward technology.

From the Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill Report (ESSB 5385), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 92, Laws of 2020
  1. IntroducedJan 18, 2019
  2. Out of committeeFeb 22, 2019
  3. Passed SenateMar 13, 2019
  4. Passed HouseMar 5, 2020
  5. GovernorMar 19, 2020
  6. LawMar 19, 2020
Prime sponsor
Senator (R-2)
Introduced
January 18, 2019 in the Senate
Last action
March 19, 2020
Session law
Chapter 92, Laws of 2020
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
SB 5385, ESSB 5385

AN ACT Relating to telemedicine payment parity;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Senator (R-2)

9 co-sponsors (2 Democrats, 7 Republicans)

Annette Cleveland D-49John Braun R-20Steve O'Ban R-28Lynda Wilson R-17Senator R-8Judy Warnick R-13Hans Zeiger R-25Barbara Bailey R-10Kevin Van De Wege D-24

Votes

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed March 13, 2019
Version voted on: ESSB 5385
46 Yea 2 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat26201
Republican20000
How each member voted

Nay (2)

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed February 13, 2020
Version voted on: ESSB 5385
45 Yea 2 Nay 0 Absent 2 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat27200
Republican18002
How each member voted

Nay (2)

Excused (2)

Permalink to this vote

House · Final Passage as Amended by the House

Passed March 5, 2020
Version voted on: ESSB 5385
94 Yea 3 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat56001
Republican38300
How each member voted

Yea (94)

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

Senate · Final Passage as Amended by the House

Passed March 9, 2020
Version voted on: ESSB 5385
47 Yea 1 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat28100
Republican19001
How each member voted

Nay (1)

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Effective date 3/19/2020. (ESSB 5385)
  2. Chapter 92, 2020 Laws. (ESSB 5385)
  3. Governor signed. (ESSB 5385)
  4. Delivered to Governor. (ESSB 5385)
  5. Speaker signed. (ESSB 5385)
  6. President signed. (ESSB 5385)
  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 47; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 1. (ESSB 5385)
  8. Senate concurred in House amendments. (ESSB 5385)
  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 94; nays, 3; absent, 0; excused, 1. (ESSB 5385)
  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (ESSB 5385)
  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments. (ESSB 5385)
  12. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. (ESSB 5385)
  13. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (ESSB 5385)
  14. Minority; do not pass. (ESSB 5385)
  15. APP - Majority; do pass with amendment(s). (ESSB 5385)
  16. Referred to Appropriations. (ESSB 5385)
  17. Minority; do not pass. (ESSB 5385)
  18. HCW - Majority; do pass. (ESSB 5385)
  19. First reading, referred to Health Care & Wellness. (ESSB 5385)
  20. Third reading, passed; yeas, 45; nays, 2; absent, 0; excused, 2. (ESSB 5385)
  21. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (ESSB 5385)
  22. Floor amendment(s) adopted. (ESSB 5385)
  23. Returned to second reading for amendment. (ESSB 5385)
  24. Placed on third reading by Rules Committee. (ESSB 5385)
  25. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status. (ESSB 5385)
  26. By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading. (ESSB 5385)
  27. Referred to Appropriations. (ESSB 5385)
  28. Minority; do not pass. (ESSB 5385)
  29. HCW - Majority; do pass. (ESSB 5385)
  30. First reading, referred to Health Care & Wellness. (ESSB 5385)
  31. Third reading, passed; yeas, 46; nays, 2; absent, 0; excused, 1. (ESSB 5385)
  32. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (ESSB 5385)
  33. 1st substitute bill substituted. (ESSB 5385)
  34. 1st substitute bill substituted.
  35. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (ESSB 5385)
  36. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
  37. HLTC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (ESSB 5385)
  38. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (ESSB 5385)
  39. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
  40. HLTC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  41. First reading, referred to Health & Long Term Care.

SB 5385 in other sessions

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

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