.02 Definitions.

A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

B. Terms Defined.

(1) "Administrative services organization (ASO)" means an entity that manages the Public Behavioral Health System on behalf of the Department.

(2) “Department” means the Maryland Department of Health, which is the single State agency designated to administer the Medical Assistance Program under Title XIX of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. §1396 et seq.

(3) “Distant site” means a site at which the licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized distant site provider is located at the time the service is provided via technology-assisted communication.

(4) "Distant site provider" means the licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized provider at the distant site who provides medically necessary services via telehealth to the patient.

(5) "GT modifier" means the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) service code modifier indicating that the provider rendered a healthcare service via an interactive audio and video telecommunications system.

(6) “Medically necessary" means that the service or benefit is:

(a) Directly related to diagnostic, preventive, curative, palliative, rehabilitative, or ameliorative treatment of an illness, injury, disability, or health condition;

(b) Consistent with currently accepted standards of good medical practice;

(c) The most cost-efficient service that can be provided without sacrificing effectiveness or access to care; and

(d) Not primarily for the convenience of the participant, family, or provider.

(7) “Originating site means the location of an eligible Medicaid participant at the time the service being furnished via technology-assisted communication occurs.

(8) "Participant" means an individual who is certified as eligible for, and is receiving, Medical Assistance benefits.

(9) "Provider" means:

(a) An individual, association, partnership, corporation, unincorporated group, or any other person authorized, licensed, or certified to provide services for Medical Assistance participants and who, through appropriate agreement with the Department, has been identified as a Maryland Medical Assistance Provider by the issuance of an individual account number;

(b) An agent, employee, or related party of a person identified in §B(12)(a) of this regulation;

(c) An individual or any other person with an ownership interest in a person identified in §B(12)(a) of this regulation.

(10) Store and Forward Technology.

(a) “Store and forward technology" means the transmission of medical images or other media captured by the originating site provider and sent electronically to a distant site provider, who does not physically interact with the patient located at the originating site.

(b) "Store and forward technology" does not mean dermatology, ophthalmology, or radiology services according to COMAR 10.09.02.07.

(11) "Technology-assisted communication" means multimedia communication equipment permitting two-way real-time interactive communication between a patient at an originating site and a distant site provider at a distant site.

(12) “Telehealth” means the synchronous delivery of medically necessary services to a patient at an originating site by distant site provider, through the use of technology-assisted communication.

(13) “Telehealth Program” means the program by which medically necessary services are authorized to be delivered via technology-assisted communication between originating and distant site providers.