00                            HOUSE BILL NO. 234                                                                          
01 "An Act relating to insurance coverage for mental health benefits provided through                                      
02 telemedicine."                                                                                                          
03 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                                
04    * Section 1. AS 21.54 is amended by adding a new section to read:                                                  
05            Sec. 21.54.102. Telemedicine and mental health benefits. A health care                                     
06       insurer that offers, issues for delivery, or renews in the state a health care insurance                          
07       plan in the group or individual market that provides mental health benefits shall                                 
08       provide coverage for mental health benefits provided through telemedicine by a health                             
09       care provider licensed in this state and may not require that prior in-person contact                             
10       occur between a health care provider and a patient before payment is made for covered                             
11       services.                                                                                                         
12    * Sec. 2. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to                          
13 read:                                                                                                                   
14       APPLICABILITY. AS 21.54.102, added by sec. 1 of this Act, applies to a health care                                

01 insurance plan offered, issued for delivery, delivered, or renewed on or after the effective date                       
02 of this Act.