Trending in Telehealth highlights state legislative and regulatory developments that impact the healthcare providers, telehealth and digital health companies, pharmacists and technology companies that deliver and facilitate the delivery of virtual care.

Trending in the past week:

• Interstate compacts
• Professional standards

A CLOSER LOOK

Finalized Legislation & Rulemaking

• South Dakota enacted the Counseling Compact, making it the 33^rd state to ratify the compact.
• South Dakota also adopted HB 1029, which specifies that licensed hearing aid dispensers and audiologists can deliver services via telehealth provided they are of the same quality as services delivered face-to-face.
• In Texas, the Commission of Licensing and Regulation adopted rules that reorganize and revise telehealth standards for behavioral analysts. The changes include better aligning the telehealth practice standards with those for other professions regulated by the Department of Licensing and Regulation. Similarly, the Commission of Licensing and Regulation adopted a rule addressing supervision for behavioral analysts, which includes provisions addressing supervision via telehealth.

Legislation & Rulemaking Activity in Proposal Phase

Highlights:

• In Arizona, SB 1036 passed the first chamber. If enacted, the bill would enact the Social Work Licensure Compact.
• In Florida, SB 7016 passed both chambers. If enacted, the bill would enter Florida into the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact.
• In Louisiana, the Behavior Analyst Board proposed rules governing behavioral analyst practice, including establishing telehealth practice standards.
• In Oklahoma, the Board of Examiners in Optometry proposed rule 505:10-5-19 that would address telemedicine practice by optometrists and, among other things, prohibit an optometrist from prescribing contact lenses or spectacles via a telemedicine encounter. The rule would also establish requirements for informed consent and practice requirements associated with a telemedicine visit.
• In Tennessee, SB 2134 and HB 2405 each passed one chamber. If enacted, the bills would enact the Social Work Licensure Compact.
• In Utah, SB 24 passed both chambers. If enacted, the bill would require Medicaid reimbursement for telepsychiatric consultations between a physician assistant and a psychiatrist. The law currently requires reimbursement only for telepsychiatric consultations between a physician and a psychiatrist.
• In Virginia, HB 326 passed the first chamber. If enacted, the bill would enter Virginia into the Counseling Compact.
• In West Virginia, HB 4110 passed the first chamber. If enacted, the bill would authorize the state’s Board of Licensed Dietitians to promulgate a legislative rule relating to telehealth practice, requirements and definitions.
• In Wisconsin, SB 158 passed both chambers and awaits the governor’s signature. If enacted, the bill would enact the Social Work Licensure Compact.

Why it matters:

• States continue to increase activity surrounding licensure compacts for a variety of health professionals. These state efforts ease the burdens of the licensing process and demonstrate a desire to facilitate multijurisdictional practice without giving up authority over professional licensure. Both well-established compacts (such as the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact) and new compacts (such as the Social Work Licensure Compact) have seen recent legislative activity.
• States continue to amend and clarify professional practice standards for telehealth. With the increase in the delivery of care through virtual modalities, professional boards are adopting standards governing telehealth practice across multiple health professions and revising existing standards to reflect current technologies and practices.