The Public Health Emergency introduced a myriad of changes to federal and state telemedicine and digital health laws and rules. There were expansions to telehealth coverage and reimbursement, suspension of enforcement on...more
On January 9, 2019, the American Telemedicine Association (ATA) issued a policy comment letter to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), advocating for provider-friendly changes to federal controlled substance...more
President Trump just signed into law the “Special Registration for Telemedicine Act of 2018” (the Act), requiring the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to activate a special registration allowing physicians and nurse...more
10/25/2018
/ Controlled Substances ,
Controlled Substances Act ,
Electronic Prescribing ,
Health Care Providers ,
Opioid ,
Pharmaceutical Industry ,
Prescription Drugs ,
Proposed Regulation ,
Ryan Haight Act ,
Telemedicine ,
Trump Administration
State laws and rules addressing prescribing controlled substances via telemedicine typically fall into three categories:
States expressly “allowing” telemedicine prescribing of controlled substances without a prior...more
The Delaware Board of Medicine recently enacted new regulations pertaining to telemedicine and telehealth. As we previously reported, the new regulations are intended to clarify the language in Delaware’s Medical Practice...more
Connecticut has taken another step towards expanding the meaningful use of telemedicine in connection with treatment of mental health and substance use disorders. SB 302, signed by Governor Dannel Malloy and effective July 1,...more
6/27/2018
/ Controlled Substances Act ,
Drug & Alcohol Abuse ,
Electronic Prescribing ,
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ,
Governor Malloy ,
Health Care Providers ,
Mental Health ,
New Legislation ,
Opioid ,
Pain Management ,
Pharmaceutical Industry ,
Physicians ,
Prescription Drugs ,
Public Safety ,
Ryan Haight Act ,
Telemedicine
Congress has taken another step forward to require the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to activate a special registration allowing physicians and nurse practitioners to prescribe controlled substances via...more
4/30/2018
/ Controlled Substances ,
DEA ,
Electronic Prescribing ,
Health Care Providers ,
In-Person Exam ,
New Legislation ,
Prescription Drugs ,
Proposed Regulation ,
Registration ,
Ryan Haight Act ,
Telehealth ,
Telemedicine
The Delaware Board of Medicine has issued proposed regulations clarifying certain statutory provisions pertaining to telemedicine and telehealth. As we previously reported, Delaware’s Medical Practice Act imposes certain...more
It seems the efforts of telemedicine advocates to change federal law and allow greater prescribing of controlled substances are no longer falling on deaf ears. Congress just released a pair of draft discussion bills to amend...more
On January 22, 2018, the Georgia House of Representatives adopted a Resolution recognizing telehealth as an important tool to improving access to health care in Georgia. One week later, the Georgia Senate recognized January...more
Indiana has taken another step towards expanding the meaningful use of telemedicine in connection with clinical services and prescribing. HB 1337, signed by Governor Eric Holcomb and effective July 1, 2017, will allow...more
On August 4, 2017, the Florida Board of Medicine will hold a third public hearing to discuss its proposed amendment to Florida’s telemedicine practice rules regarding medical marijuana. The Board held two prior public...more
On May 12, 2017, the Texas State Legislature passed SB 1107, a law expanding the use of telemedicine in the Lone Star State. The bill is now on its way to Governor Abbot’s desk where he is expected to sign it into law....more
South Carolina Governor, Nikki Haley signed the South Carolina Telemedicine Act (S.B. 1035) into law, on June 3, 2016, establishing new telemedicine practice standards in the Palmetto State. Prior to the Act, the controlling...more
Alaska Governor Bill Walker signed SB 74 into law on June 21, 2016, expanding the use of telemedicine in the Last Frontier state. Specifically, SB 74 removes Alaska’s previous in-state presence requirements for prescribing...more
Louisiana’s governor signed into law, HB 570, (the “Act”), eliminating a prior requirement that physicians practicing telemedicine maintain an office in Louisiana or contract with in-state providers. The Act also changes the...more
6/30/2016
/ Disclosure Requirements ,
Electronic Prescribing ,
Electronic Records ,
Health Care Providers ,
Informed Consent ,
Medical Examiners ,
New Legislation ,
Physicians ,
Standard of Care ,
Telehealth ,
Telemedicine ,
Venue
Virginia has made strides to expand the telehealth offerings available to its residents and the Old Dominion took another step forward advancing telemedicine when it enacted a bill amending Virginia Code § 38.2-3418.16 to...more
4/14/2016
/ Controlled Substances ,
Data Security ,
Electronic Medical Records ,
Electronic Prescribing ,
Health Care Providers ,
Informed Consent ,
Licensing Rules ,
New Legislation ,
Physicians ,
State Medical Board ,
Telehealth ,
Telemedicine
West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin (D) signed into law, on March 24, 2016, a new bill (House Bill No. 4463) implementing a variety of telemedicine practice standards and remote prescribing rules in the Mountain State....more
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R) signed into law, on March 21, 2016, a new bill (House Act No. 1263) implementing a variety of telemedicine practice standards and remote prescribing rules in the Hoosier State. Effective July 1,...more
Louisiana’s Board of Medical Examiners (the “Board”) enacted regulations in the fall amending the prior practice standards for telemedicine, the requirements for obtaining a telemedicine permit, and the rules on remote...more
3/22/2016
/ Amended Regulation ,
Controlled Substances ,
Disclosure Requirements ,
Electronic Medical Records ,
Electronic Prescribing ,
Health Care Providers ,
Health Information Technologies ,
Informed Consent ,
Medical License ,
Physicians ,
Telehealth ,
Telemedicine
The District of Columbia Department of Health recently issued proposed rules that, if enacted, would constitute the first regulations on telemedicine practice standards in the nation’s capital. Other than a 2014 policy...more
After several hard-fought years of unsuccessful attempts, the Florida Legislature on Friday passed a new bill designed to set the stage for telehealth commercial insurance coverage in the Sunshine State. This is a great step...more
The Florida Board of Medicine recently met and voted to uphold a rule allowing controlled substances to be prescribed via telemedicine for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. This change has enormous potential to benefit...more
The Great State of Arkansas was ranked last among all states in a recent report by the American Telemedicine Association on telemedicine practice standards. The good news is the Arkansas Board of Medicine indicated plans to...more
The North Dakota Board of Medicine issued proposed regulations designed to move the Peace Garden State to the list of telemedicine-friendly states. The rules properly focus on the quality of care delivered, rather than the...more