ASSEMBLY AGING AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 3699

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JANUARY 23, 2025

      The Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 3699.

      As amended by the committee, this bill authorizes a health care provider acting within the scope of a valid license, certification, or registration issued pursuant to Title 45 of the Revised Statutes to engage in the use of remote patient monitoring devices.

      Currently, under the provisions of P.L.2017, c.117 (C45:1-61 et al.) health care providers acting within the scope of a valid license, certification, or registration issued pursuant to Title 45 of the Revised Statutes are authorized to engage in the use of telemedicine and telehealth but are not authorized to engage in the use of remote patient monitoring devices.  This bill amends the provisions of P.L.2017, c.117 (C45:1-61 et al.) to authorize health care providers to engage in the use of remote patient monitoring devices to provide health care services to a patient.

     As used in the bill, “remote patient monitoring devices” means, but is not limited to, devices that monitor clinical patient data such as weight, blood pressure, pulse oximetry, respiratory flow rate, musculoskeletal system status, blood glucose levels, and other patient-generated physiological data.

     As amended, the bill specifies that Medicaid, NJ FamilyCare, and various insurance coverage providers (including carriers of managed care plans, the State Health Benefits Commission, and the School Employees’ Health Benefits Commission) are each to provide coverage of and payment for services provided through the use of remote patient monitoring devices, at least at the same rate that is applicable when the services are delivered through in-person contact or consultation.

     The bill also provides that coverage under the State Medicaid program include benefits for expenses incurred for the remote patient monitoring device of a pregnant patient.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS

      The committee amended the bill to remove language that stipulates a health care provider who establishes a proper provider-patient relationship with a patient who is pregnant may allow remote patient monitoring of the patient if the patient is unable to receive in-person services at a doctor’s office or other licensed health care facility and the definition of “remote patient monitoring.”

      The committee amendments expand the provisions of P.L.2017, c.117 (C45:1-61 et al.) to:  (1) define “remote patient monitoring devices” to mean, but not be limited to, devices that monitor clinical patient data such as weight, blood pressure, pulse oximetry, respiratory flow rate, musculoskeletal system status, blood glucose levels, and other patient-generated physiological data; (2) authorize health care providers acting within the scope of a valid license, certification, or registration issued pursuant to Title 45 of the Revised Statutes to engage in the use of remote patient monitoring devices to provide health care services to patients; and (3) authorize Medicaid, NJ FamilyCare, and various insurance coverage providers to provide coverage of and payment for services provided through the use of remote patient monitoring devices, at least at the same rate that is applicable when the services are delivered through in-person contact or consultation.

      The committee amended the title and synopsis of the bill to reflect the changes made by committee amendment.