Trends over the past week:
- interstate highway compact
- professional standards
- Redemption requirements
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Enactment of final laws and regulations
- iowa Enacted HF 2402 to require the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services to review its administrative regulations for pediatric psychiatric medical institutions (PMICs), including to review regulations regarding the use of telehealth services to provide post-confinement isolation and isolation. Update required. evaluation.
- iowa Enacted HF 2512, which adopted the Social Worker Licensing Agreement.
Proposal-level legislation and rulemaking activities
highlight:
- in louisiana, HB 896 passed through one chamber. This bill would establish the Louisiana Remote Patient Monitoring Program Act to authorize remote patient monitoring services provided through telehealth to patients who meet certain criteria outlined in the bill.
- in connecticut, HB 5198 passed through one chamber. If enacted, this bill would make certain temporary expansion requirements for telehealth services permanent. These expanded provisions include: allowing licensed telehealth providers to use audio-only telephones to provide services; Prohibits health care providers from charging uninsured patients more than Medicare reimbursement rates Prohibits health care providers from charging uninsured patients more than the Medicare reimbursement rate Provides telehealth services to patients in remote locations Prohibits reducing the amount of reimbursement paid to a telehealth provider for covered services provided through health care.
- in colorado, HB 24-1045 passed the second chamber. This bill adds substance use disorder treatment to the list of medical services that require telemedicine to be reimbursed at the same rate as comparable in-person services.
- in colorado, SB 24-141 passed through one chamber. If enacted, this bill would allow licensed out-of-state health care providers to provide telehealth services to patients in Colorado if they are registered with the appropriate Colorado regulatory agency.
- in HawaiiHCR 125 examines the impact of widespread use of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic and public policy efforts at the federal and state levels to optimize the use of telehealth as states transition. One House passed calling for the creation of a telemedicine task force to identify. Outside.
- Several states saw activity related to interstate compacts.
- michigan HB 4169 passed one chamber establishing the Occupational Therapy Licensing Agreement.
- in south carolinaS 610 passed two chambers establishing the Professional Counseling Agreement.
- in AlabamaSB 208 passed two chambers establishing the Social Worker Compact.
- in nevada, the Board of Dental Examiners released a proposed rule expanding requirements related to teledentistry. This rule specifies the circumstances in which a licensed provider may provide teledentistry services, including issuing prescriptions.
- in Kansas, the Board of Pharmacy proposed regulations setting forth requirements for establishing a telephone pharmacy store and requirements for personnel to be stationed at a telephone pharmacy store. This regulation also provides a definition of telepharmacy.
Why it's important:
- States continue to increase activity around licensing agreements for various medical professionals. These states' efforts demonstrate a desire to reduce the burden of the licensing process and encourage practice in multiple jurisdictions without relinquishing authority over professional licensure. This week, states advanced legislation related to the Interstate Compact on Social Work, Occupational Therapy, and Professional Counseling.
- States continue to amend and clarify their standards of professional practice regarding telehealth. An increasing number of states are adopting and revising standards to reflect current technology to govern telehealth practices across a variety of health care professions. This week, Nevada and Kansas proposed rules governing teledentistry and telepharmacy practices. Additionally, Connecticut's HB 5198 proposes to allow telehealth providers to use audio-only telephones to provide telehealth services.
- States continue to evaluate reimbursement standards related to the provision of care delivered via telehealth. Bills in Louisiana, Connecticut, and Colorado would increase access to telehealth by expanding coverage of telehealth services and requiring reimbursement rates to be at or below Medicare rates or equivalent in-person reimbursement rates. This reflects the growing importance of
Telemedicine is an important advancement in healthcare delivery, but the patchwork of regulations is complex.