AN ACT CONCERNING TELEHEALTH SERVICES.

OFFICE OF FISCAL ANALYSIS

Legislative Office Building, Room 5200

Hartford, CT 06106 ↓ (860) 240-0200

http://www.cga.ct.gov/ofa

sSB-302

AN ACT CONCERNING TELEHEALTH SERVICES.

OFA Fiscal Note

State Impact:

Agency Affected	Fund-Effect	FY 19 $	FY 20 $
Consumer Protection, Dept.	GF - Cost	93,667	93,667
State Comptroller - Fringe Benefits¹	GF - Cost	30,664	30,664
Consumer Protection, Dept.	GF - Potential Revenue Gain	See Below	See Below

Note: GF=General Fund

Municipal Impact: None

Explanation

This bill allows telehealth providers to prescribe schedule I, II, and III controlled substances through the use of telehealth for treatment of a psychiatric disorder and results in a cost and potential revenue gain to the state.

The bill increases the number of providers prescribing controlled substances into the state including those who may reside outside of the state, which makes investigations more complicated due to the challenge of obtaining behavioral health records. The Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) is responsible for investigating and monitoring the prescribing of schedule I, II, and III controlled substances and would need to hire a Drug Control Agent ($84,405 salary, $30,664 fringe benefits, and $9,262 in associated other expenses) due to the increased investigation and monitoring responsibilities.

The bill also results in a potential revenue gain to the extent that fines are assessed by DCP for non-compliance with schedule I, II, and III prescription drug regulations. The Commissioner of DCP may impose a fine of up to $1,000 per violation.

The Out Years

The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would continue into the future subject to inflation and the number of fines assessed by DCP.

¹The fringe benefit costs for most state employees are budgeted centrally in accounts administered by the Comptroller. The estimated active employee fringe benefit cost associated with most personnel changes is 36.33% of payroll in FY 19 and FY 20.