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39-709j. Medical assistance program; coverage for speech-language pathology and audiology services. (a) On and after January 1, 2019, the department of health and environment and any managed care organization providing state medicaid services under the Kansas medical assistance program shall provide coverage for speech-language pathology services and audiology services provided by a speech-language pathologist or audiologist licensed by the Kansas department for aging and disability services by means of telehealth, as defined in K.S.A. 40-2,211, and amendments thereto, if such services would be covered by the Kansas medical assistance program when delivered via in-person contact.

(b) The department of health and environment shall implement and administer this section consistent with applicable federal laws and regulations and shall submit to the United States centers for medicare and medicaid services any state medicaid plan amendment, waiver request or other approval request necessary to implement this section.

(c) The department of health and environment shall adopt rules and regulations as may be necessary to implement and administer this section. Such rules and regulations shall be adopted on or before December 31, 2018.

(d) On or before January 13, 2020, the department of health and environment shall prepare an impact report that assesses the social and financial effects of the coverage mandated by this section, including the impacts listed in K.S.A. 40-2249(a) and (b), and amendments thereto, and shall submit such report to the legislature and the house of representatives standing committee on health and human services, the house of representatives standing committee on insurance, the senate standing committee on public health and welfare and the senate standing committee on financial institutions and insurance.

History: L. 2018, ch. 98, § 8; July 1.