Telehealth trends focus on state legal and regulatory developments impacting healthcare providers, telemedicine and digital health companies, pharmacists, and technology companies that provide and facilitate virtual care.
Trends over the past week:
- interstate highway compact
- Redemption requirements
- professional standards
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Enactment of final laws and regulations
- west virginia Enacts SB 522 to allow emergency medical services agencies to triage and transport patients to a hospital, dialysis center, skilled nursing facility, or destination other than their residence within the state, if coordinated by an ambulance service. This stipulates that patients can be treated on the spot. Care for patients through medical command or telehealth services. The bill also requires insurance plans to cover these services. Additionally, SB 522 requires the West Virginia Department of Emergency Medical Services to establish related protocols by October 1, 2024.
- west virginia It also enacted regulations regarding the work of medical imaging technicians and radiation therapy technicians. This rulemaking includes a provision that the practice of telemedicine does not apply to the practice of medical imaging and radiation therapy technologists.
- maine LD 1965, which established telemedicine standards for optometrists, including requirements for establishing an optometrist-patient relationship through telemedicine. The bill establishes new flexibilities to enable telemedicine and provides practice standards and definitions related to the practice of telemedicine while requiring either an in-person visit or an established relationship with the patient. This includes limiting the wording of the request.
- For example, an optometrist-patient relationship is between a licensee and an individual unless the individual agrees to receive ophthalmological or medical services from the licensee and the individual's examination is necessary for the standard of care. Established when there is direct contact. Cases that do not involve an in-person visit, such as emergencies reasonably determined by Licensee.
- The bill also provides that licensees who utilize telehealth in providing care and patients who receive telehealth services through consultation with another licensee or other health care provider and with whom they have an established relationship , providing a pathway for consent to participate in the optometrist-patient relationship. Supervise patient care via telemedicine.
Proposal-level legislation and rulemaking activities
highlight:
- Three states have introduced or pursued legislation related to social work licensing agreements: Kansas, Tennessee, and Colorado.
- in KansasSB 2484 passed both chambers.
- in tennessee HB 2405 also passed through both chambers.
- in coloradoSB 24-1002 passed the first chamber.
- in arizona, SB 1173 passed both chambers. If passed, this bill would adopt a counseling agreement.
- in mississippi, SB 2157 passed the second chamber. If passed, this bill would result in the adoption of an interjurisdictional agreement in psychology.
- in tennessee, JB 2587 passed through the second chamber. If enacted, this bill would amend state insurance law to change the definition of “provider-based telehealth” so that a provider, provider practice group, or health system The requirement that an established relationship be established and that relationship documented by a health care provider would be removed. In-person encounter within 16 months prior to interactive visit. This is currently eligible for a refund.
- in new hampshire, HB 1095 passed the First Chamber. If enacted, this bill would add certain defined terms and The reference will be clear.
- in kentuckythe following bills passed both houses of Congress.
- SB 111: If enacted, this bill would require health benefit plans, limited health service benefit plans, Medicaid, and state health plans to cover speech therapy provided in person or via telehealth. You will be asked to do so.
- SB 255: If enacted, this bill would establish requirements and standards for the provision of social work services via telehealth.
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. New agreements such as the Social Work Licensing Agreement and the Psychology Interjurisdictional Agreement continue to be an area of increasing attention.
- States continue to evaluate reimbursement criteria related to care provided through telehealth. Efforts in states such as Tennessee (highlighted above) are making it possible to provide reimbursement for telehealth services without the need for cumbersome in-person visits. Reimbursement requirements are often a significant barrier to telehealth providers and practices, so removing these requirements could increase access to covered telehealth services.
- States continue to amend and clarify their standards of professional practice regarding telehealth. As the delivery of care through virtual modalities increases, professional boards have adopted standards to govern the practice of telehealth across multiple health care professions to reflect current technology and practices and ensure consistency across the professions. We are revising existing standards to ensure.