Telemedicine trends from February 27 to March 4, 2024

Telehealth trends focus on state legal and regulatory developments impacting health care providers, telemedicine and digital health companies, pharmacists, and technology companies that provide and facilitate virtual care.

Trends over the past week:

• interstate highway compact
• Expansion of telemedicine
• Regulation of teledentistry

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Proposal stage legislative and rulemaking activities:

highlight:

• in arizona, HB 2446 passed the first chamber. If enacted, the bill would establish licensing requirements for dieticians and nutritionists and allow them to provide nutrition and nutrition services through telemedicine.
• in florida, HB 849 passed through both chambers. If enacted, this bill would establish requirements for the provision of veterinary telehealth services by Florida-licensed veterinarians.
• in florida, HB 855 passed through both chambers. If passed, the bill would require dental offices to designate dentists who are registered with the Florida Board of Dentistry, among other changes. Dentists are also required to perform an in-person examination of the patient or obtain records of the in-person evaluation before starting orthodontic treatment. The proposal would allow dentists advertising dental services provided through telemedicine to include impressions and digital dental scans, denture services, placement of appliances and other structures, and orthodontic treatment. Under this proposal, failure to comply with evaluation requirements and failure to provide patients with contact information for each dentist providing dental services to the patient would be grounds for discipline.
• in georgia, HB 844 passed the first chamber. If enacted, the bill would establish licensing requirements for dieticians and nutritionists and allow them to provide nutrition and nutrition services through telemedicine.
• in georgia, HB 441 passed the First Chamber. If enacted, this bill would require, among other requirements, that a dentist who intends to provide treatment using teledentistry must notify the Georgia Board of Dentistry and allow the dentist to provide in-person dental treatment. This will require the submission of documentation showing that a referral relationship has been established with a dentist who can provide the following. A location within a state that meets certain geographic requirements. Dentists offering teledentistry will be allowed to allow dental hygienists to perform certain dental hygiene functions, prescribe unsupervised prescriptions, and perform digital scans and transmit patient records to dentists. . The proposed bill would require a dentist to conduct an initial in-person visit and at least one in-person visit every 12 months in order to provide teledentistry services to a patient, except for patients who are seen in certain designated settings. It is mandatory to do so. The dentist should also obtain written permission from the patient that includes information about the treating dentist and dental hygienist, and advise the patient that teledentistry does not constitute an in-person clinical examination and is performed by the dentist. Obtaining informed consent will also be required after making a written statement. not physically present. The bill would prohibit insurance companies from excluding coverage for services or requiring insureds to receive dental care through teledentistry solely because they are provided through teledentistry.
• in Indiana, SB 132 passed through both chambers. Currently, under Indiana law, an out-of-state provider licensed in Indiana cannot provide telehealth services in Indiana until the provider and its employer/contractor submit a consent agreement to the Indiana Office of Professional Licensing. It stipulates that it cannot be provided. Subject to the jurisdiction of the State of Indiana and the substantive and procedural laws of the State of Indiana. If enacted, this bill would remove the requirement to submit certification, but would still subject health care providers to Indiana jurisdiction and Indiana's substantive and procedural laws (rather than providing certification). ) The provision of medical services is a voluntary exemption. Other Jurisdiction Rights.
• in Indiana, SB 104 passed through both chambers. If enacted, the bill would require veterinarians and veterinary technicians, among other disclosure requirements, to disclose whether the practitioner is providing veterinary services via telemedicine when renewing a license or certificate of registration. This will require disclosure of certain information.
• in kentuckythe proposed rule would require correctional centers to contract with health care providers to provide services via telehealth.
• in Oregon, HB 4002 passed through both chambers. If passed, the bill would create new programs to provide services related to opioid use disorder to Oregon inmates and allow some of those programs to use telemedicine.
• in Utah, HB 365 passed through both chambers. If passed, the bill would allow doctors, nurses and physician assistants to perform initial consultations for certain cosmetic procedures via telemedicine.
• in Virginia, the SB 250 passed through both chambers. If enacted, this bill would provide Medicaid reimbursement for remote ultrasound and remote fetal nonstress testing under certain conditions.
• in Washington, SB 5983 passed both chambers. If passed, the bill would allow registered medical assistants to administer intramuscular injections to treat syphilis if a health care professional provides supervision via interactive audio or video.
• license compact. This week has been a busy week for proposals to conclude licensing agreements.
  • Counseling compact: arizona, SB 1173 passed the first chamber. If this bill becomes law, Arizona will join the Counseling Compact.
  • Social Work Licensing Compact: The following states have introduced legislation that, if enacted, would cause the state to participate in the compact: Colorado (HB 24-1002); Georgia (HB 839); Kansas (HB 2484); vermont state (HB 543).in Virginia (SB239) and Washington (HB 1939), a bill to join the compact is currently passing both chambers.

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.
• States continue to pursue laws and regulations that expand the use of telemedicine across multiple health care professions. As acceptance of care delivery through telehealth modalities increases, states continue to allow additional health professions, such as nutrition and dietetics, dentistry, and even veterinary medicine, to utilize telehealth services. On a smaller scale, state actions have been taken, such as providing reimbursement for telehealth services and expanding the procedures that various providers can offer through telehealth signal support for telehealth.

Telemedicine is an important advancement in care delivery, but the patchwork of regulations is complex. McDermott's Digital Health team works with industry-leading healthcare providers, payers, and technology innovators to enter new markets, break down barriers to providing accessible care, and reduce enforcement risks with proactive compliance. assist in mitigation. Are you working to make healthcare more accessible through telehealth? Let us help you transform telehealth.