Trending this week:
- Vendor Licensing
- Telemedicine Definitions
- Extension of the telemedicine service
A closer look:
Completed: 1
- New Jersey completed a seven-year extension of the existing rules, which were scheduled to expire on January 15, 2023. These rules, in part, allow out-of-state speech-language pathologists and audiologists to obtain a license without an exam.
Suggestion: 13
- Maryland saw activity in a collection of nine proposed rules.
- Comment deadlines ended January 17, 2023 for five rules proposed in mid-December. These rules amend or create telemedicine practice standards for LCSWs, behavior analysts, podiatrists, optometrists, and audiologists and speech therapists.
- On Jan. 13, the state proposed rules clarifying standards of practice for telemedicine providers in physical therapy and early intervention care for children.
- The state proposed two additional rules that expand the services provided through telemedicine that would fall under the medical assistance program. This includes the expansion of reimbursable medical services and care in emergency care facilities. Both proposed rules require that all telemedicine services meet general requirements for reimbursement for telemedicine practices.
- the South Dakota House passed legislation changing practice guidelines for speech therapists, including clarifying telemedicine standards. This bill goes to the State Senate for a vote.
- the Wyoming The Senate has advanced two bills to pass the Professional Counseling Pact and the Interstate Psychology Pact (PsyPact). These bills both go to the South Dakota House.
- Texas proposed rule changes related to the provision of prenatal care, expanding the use of telemedicine and distinguishing between medical services delivered via telemedicine and non-health services.
Industry highlights:
- States continue to propose bills and regulations that would align telemedicine definitions and licensing standards for all provider types. The rules Maryland proposed in December, seek to standardize the language surrounding telemedicine across five different provider types. the South Dakota bill similarly attempts to replace outdated language regarding speech therapists offering telemedicine with standardized references. This seems to indicate that with the expanded adoption of telemedicine regulations, states are now adapting outdated language to create more streamlined standards.
- the Wyoming The Senate has advanced a bill to pass the requirements of the Professional Counseling Pact and the Interstate Psychiatric Pact, showing that telebehavioural health remains a state focus. Wyoming is one of eight states with active bills pending in the state legislatures and considering inclusion in the Psychological Interjurisdictional Compact (Psypact). Greater registration and acceptance of license agreements creates a more standardized process for providers to quickly obtain a license in many states and to provide care across state lines, a problem that has been encountered with multi-state care.
Telemedicine is an important development in healthcare, but the regulatory patchwork is complicated.
