Trending in Telehealth is a new series from the McDermott digital health team in which we highlight 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:
A CLOSER LOOK
Finalized Legislation and Rulemaking
- Connecticut enacted Substitute for SB 9, which enters the state into the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact.
- Hawaii enacted SB 674, which enters the state into the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact.
- Maine enacted LD 1749, which enters the state into the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact. Maine also enacted LD 717, which enters the state into the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact.
- Rhode Island enacted HB 5737, which enters the state into the Nurse Licensure Compact.
Legislation and Rulemaking Activity in Proposal Phase
Highlights:
- Alaska proposed a rule that would establish teletherapy standards of practice for psychologists and psychological associates, with the aim of providing clear guidelines for engaging in technology-assisted distance professional services.
Why it matters:
- There continues to be elevated activity surrounding licensure compacts. This year has seen an uptick in legislative activity by states seeking to ease out-of-state licensure barriers through the use of interstate compacts. Certain compacts have a majority of states as members. As examples, Hawaii and Missouri became the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact’s 40th and 41st members, respectively, while Rhode Island became the Nurse Licensure Compact’s 41st member. As established compacts continue to grow their membership, a new compact has emerged: Missouri joined the Social Worker Licensure Compact earlier in July, becoming the first state to adopt the compact.
Telehealth is an important development in care delivery, but the regulatory patchwork is complicated.
[View source.]
