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Louisiana Legislature Paves the Way for Telehealth Opportunities

Louisiana Legislature Paves the Way for Telehealth Opportunities

Telehealth isn’t just for rural areas anymore. Everyone benefits from the savings and convenience of telehealth. Louisiana recognized that quality healthcare can be achieved in telehealth by passing important telehealth laws including the creation of the Louisiana Telehealth Access Act.  Representative Scott Simon introduced House Bill 1280 which was signed into law as Act 442 effective August 1, 2014.

Currently, Louisiana statutes governing the licensing of physicians in “telemedicine” define the practice as:

The practice of health care delivery, diagnosis, consultation, treatment, and transfer of medical data using interactive telecommunication technology that enables a health care practitioner and a patient at two locations separated by distance to interact via two-way video and audio transmissions simultaneously.  La. R.S. 37:1262.

Building upon the physicians’ telemedicine provisions, the Louisiana Telehealth Access Act recognizes telehealth as an innovative form of health care.   Telehealth is defined as a mode of delivering healthcare services that utilizes information and communication technologies to enable the diagnosis, consultation, treatment, education, care management, and self-management of patients at a distance from healthcare providers and which allows services to be accessed when providers are in a distant site and patients are in the originating site.  Telehealth facilitates patient self-management and caregiver support for patients and includes synchronous interactions and asynchronous store and forward transfers.

Act 442 enables healthcare providers to consider telehealth to improve access to quality healthcare in Louisiana.  Listed below are several significant provisions now in effect.

Physicians

A physician practicing telemedicine shall use the same standard of care as if the healthcare services were provided in person.

A physician practicing pursuant to a telemedicine license, shall not be required to conduct an in-person patient history or physical examination of the patient before engaging in a telemedicine encounter if all of the following conditions are met:

(1) The physician practicing telemedicine holds an unrestricted license to practice medicine in Louisiana;

(2) The physician practicing telemedicine has access to the patient’s medical records upon consent of the patient; and 

(3) The physician practicing telemedicine maintains a physical practice location within the state of Louisiana or executes an affirmation with the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (LSBME) that the physician has an arrangement with another physician who maintains a physical practice location in Louisiana to provide for referrals and follow-up care which may be necessary.

Patients receiving telemedicine services may be in any location at the time that the telemedicine services are rendered and a telemedicine physician may be in any location when providing telemedicine services to a patient.

Physician documentation requirements do not change because of the service being provided via telemedicine.  All recordings, i.e. written, video and audio, generated as a result of the telemedicine service are confidential and are subject to all state and federal privacy laws.

Unless authorization is granted by the LSBME, a physician practicing telemedicine is prohibited from prescribing any controlled dangerous substance prior to conducting an appropriate in-person patient history or physical examination of the patient as determined by the LSBME.

All Other Healthcare Providers

Act 442 sets the stage for healthcare delivery innovation by all healthcare providers. Although it addresses standard of care, confidentiality of records, licensure and out of state providers,  rulemaking authority is still given to each state agency, professional or occupational licensing board or commission regulating the practice of a healthcare provider to promulgate any rules necessary to provide for, promote, and regulate the use of telehealth in healthcare delivery.

Louisiana’s legislature has set the stage for its healthcare providers to virtually transform healthcare delivery in our state. Are we ready for all those opportunities?

 

Louisiana Legislature Paves the Way for Telehealth Opportunities

Louisiana Legislature Paves the Way for Telehealth Opportunities

Telehealth isn’t just for rural areas anymore. Everyone benefits from the savings and convenience of telehealth. Louisiana recognized that quality healthcare can be achieved in telehealth by passing important telehealth laws including the creation of the Louisiana Telehealth Access Act.  Representative Scott Simon introduced House Bill 1280 which was signed into law as Act 442 effective August 1, 2014.

Currently, Louisiana statutes governing the licensing of physicians in “telemedicine” define the practice as:

The practice of health care delivery, diagnosis, consultation, treatment, and transfer of medical data using interactive telecommunication technology that enables a health care practitioner and a patient at two locations separated by distance to interact via two-way video and audio transmissions simultaneously.  La. R.S. 37:1262.

Building upon the physicians’ telemedicine provisions, the Louisiana Telehealth Access Act recognizes telehealth as an innovative form of health care.   Telehealth is defined as a mode of delivering healthcare services that utilizes information and communication technologies to enable the diagnosis, consultation, treatment, education, care management, and self-management of patients at a distance from healthcare providers and which allows services to be accessed when providers are in a distant site and patients are in the originating site.  Telehealth facilitates patient self-management and caregiver support for patients and includes synchronous interactions and asynchronous store and forward transfers.

Act 442 enables healthcare providers to consider telehealth to improve access to quality healthcare in Louisiana.  Listed below are several significant provisions now in effect.

Physicians

A physician practicing telemedicine shall use the same standard of care as if the healthcare services were provided in person.

A physician practicing pursuant to a telemedicine license, shall not be required to conduct an in-person patient history or physical examination of the patient before engaging in a telemedicine encounter if all of the following conditions are met:

(1) The physician practicing telemedicine holds an unrestricted license to practice medicine in Louisiana;

(2) The physician practicing telemedicine has access to the patient’s medical records upon consent of the patient; and 

(3) The physician practicing telemedicine maintains a physical practice location within the state of Louisiana or executes an affirmation with the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (LSBME) that the physician has an arrangement with another physician who maintains a physical practice location in Louisiana to provide for referrals and follow-up care which may be necessary.

Patients receiving telemedicine services may be in any location at the time that the telemedicine services are rendered and a telemedicine physician may be in any location when providing telemedicine services to a patient.

Physician documentation requirements do not change because of the service being provided via telemedicine.  All recordings, i.e. written, video and audio, generated as a result of the telemedicine service are confidential and are subject to all state and federal privacy laws.

Unless authorization is granted by the LSBME, a physician practicing telemedicine is prohibited from prescribing any controlled dangerous substance prior to conducting an appropriate in-person patient history or physical examination of the patient as determined by the LSBME.

All Other Healthcare Providers

Act 442 sets the stage for healthcare delivery innovation by all healthcare providers. Although it addresses standard of care, confidentiality of records, licensure and out of state providers,  rulemaking authority is still given to each state agency, professional or occupational licensing board or commission regulating the practice of a healthcare provider to promulgate any rules necessary to provide for, promote, and regulate the use of telehealth in healthcare delivery.

Louisiana’s legislature has set the stage for its healthcare providers to virtually transform healthcare delivery in our state. Are we ready for all those opportunities?

 

Louisiana Legislature Paves the Way for Telehealth Opportunities

Louisiana Legislature Paves the Way for Telehealth Opportunities

Telehealth isn’t just for rural areas anymore. Everyone benefits from the savings and convenience of telehealth. Louisiana recognized that quality healthcare can be achieved in telehealth by passing important telehealth laws including the creation of the Louisiana Telehealth Access Act.  Representative Scott Simon introduced House Bill 1280 which was signed into law as Act 442 effective August 1, 2014.

Currently, Louisiana statutes governing the licensing of physicians in “telemedicine” define the practice as:

The practice of health care delivery, diagnosis, consultation, treatment, and transfer of medical data using interactive telecommunication technology that enables a health care practitioner and a patient at two locations separated by distance to interact via two-way video and audio transmissions simultaneously.  La. R.S. 37:1262.

Building upon the physicians’ telemedicine provisions, the Louisiana Telehealth Access Act recognizes telehealth as an innovative form of health care.   Telehealth is defined as a mode of delivering healthcare services that utilizes information and communication technologies to enable the diagnosis, consultation, treatment, education, care management, and self-management of patients at a distance from healthcare providers and which allows services to be accessed when providers are in a distant site and patients are in the originating site.  Telehealth facilitates patient self-management and caregiver support for patients and includes synchronous interactions and asynchronous store and forward transfers.

Act 442 enables healthcare providers to consider telehealth to improve access to quality healthcare in Louisiana.  Listed below are several significant provisions now in effect.

Physicians

A physician practicing telemedicine shall use the same standard of care as if the healthcare services were provided in person.

A physician practicing pursuant to a telemedicine license, shall not be required to conduct an in-person patient history or physical examination of the patient before engaging in a telemedicine encounter if all of the following conditions are met:

(1) The physician practicing telemedicine holds an unrestricted license to practice medicine in Louisiana;

(2) The physician practicing telemedicine has access to the patient’s medical records upon consent of the patient; and 

(3) The physician practicing telemedicine maintains a physical practice location within the state of Louisiana or executes an affirmation with the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (LSBME) that the physician has an arrangement with another physician who maintains a physical practice location in Louisiana to provide for referrals and follow-up care which may be necessary.

Patients receiving telemedicine services may be in any location at the time that the telemedicine services are rendered and a telemedicine physician may be in any location when providing telemedicine services to a patient.

Physician documentation requirements do not change because of the service being provided via telemedicine.  All recordings, i.e. written, video and audio, generated as a result of the telemedicine service are confidential and are subject to all state and federal privacy laws.

Unless authorization is granted by the LSBME, a physician practicing telemedicine is prohibited from prescribing any controlled dangerous substance prior to conducting an appropriate in-person patient history or physical examination of the patient as determined by the LSBME.

All Other Healthcare Providers

Act 442 sets the stage for healthcare delivery innovation by all healthcare providers. Although it addresses standard of care, confidentiality of records, licensure and out of state providers,  rulemaking authority is still given to each state agency, professional or occupational licensing board or commission regulating the practice of a healthcare provider to promulgate any rules necessary to provide for, promote, and regulate the use of telehealth in healthcare delivery.

Louisiana’s legislature has set the stage for its healthcare providers to virtually transform healthcare delivery in our state. Are we ready for all those opportunities?

 

Louisiana Legislature Paves the Way for Telehealth Opportunities

Louisiana Legislature Paves the Way for Telehealth Opportunities

Telehealth isn’t just for rural areas anymore. Everyone benefits from the savings and convenience of telehealth. Louisiana recognized that quality healthcare can be achieved in telehealth by passing important telehealth laws including the creation of the Louisiana Telehealth Access Act.  Representative Scott Simon introduced House Bill 1280 which was signed into law as Act 442 effective August 1, 2014.

Currently, Louisiana statutes governing the licensing of physicians in “telemedicine” define the practice as:

The practice of health care delivery, diagnosis, consultation, treatment, and transfer of medical data using interactive telecommunication technology that enables a health care practitioner and a patient at two locations separated by distance to interact via two-way video and audio transmissions simultaneously.  La. R.S. 37:1262.

Building upon the physicians’ telemedicine provisions, the Louisiana Telehealth Access Act recognizes telehealth as an innovative form of health care.   Telehealth is defined as a mode of delivering healthcare services that utilizes information and communication technologies to enable the diagnosis, consultation, treatment, education, care management, and self-management of patients at a distance from healthcare providers and which allows services to be accessed when providers are in a distant site and patients are in the originating site.  Telehealth facilitates patient self-management and caregiver support for patients and includes synchronous interactions and asynchronous store and forward transfers.

Act 442 enables healthcare providers to consider telehealth to improve access to quality healthcare in Louisiana.  Listed below are several significant provisions now in effect.

Physicians

A physician practicing telemedicine shall use the same standard of care as if the healthcare services were provided in person.

A physician practicing pursuant to a telemedicine license, shall not be required to conduct an in-person patient history or physical examination of the patient before engaging in a telemedicine encounter if all of the following conditions are met:

(1) The physician practicing telemedicine holds an unrestricted license to practice medicine in Louisiana;

(2) The physician practicing telemedicine has access to the patient’s medical records upon consent of the patient; and 

(3) The physician practicing telemedicine maintains a physical practice location within the state of Louisiana or executes an affirmation with the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (LSBME) that the physician has an arrangement with another physician who maintains a physical practice location in Louisiana to provide for referrals and follow-up care which may be necessary.

Patients receiving telemedicine services may be in any location at the time that the telemedicine services are rendered and a telemedicine physician may be in any location when providing telemedicine services to a patient.

Physician documentation requirements do not change because of the service being provided via telemedicine.  All recordings, i.e. written, video and audio, generated as a result of the telemedicine service are confidential and are subject to all state and federal privacy laws.

Unless authorization is granted by the LSBME, a physician practicing telemedicine is prohibited from prescribing any controlled dangerous substance prior to conducting an appropriate in-person patient history or physical examination of the patient as determined by the LSBME.

All Other Healthcare Providers

Act 442 sets the stage for healthcare delivery innovation by all healthcare providers. Although it addresses standard of care, confidentiality of records, licensure and out of state providers,  rulemaking authority is still given to each state agency, professional or occupational licensing board or commission regulating the practice of a healthcare provider to promulgate any rules necessary to provide for, promote, and regulate the use of telehealth in healthcare delivery.

Louisiana’s legislature has set the stage for its healthcare providers to virtually transform healthcare delivery in our state. Are we ready for all those opportunities?

 

Louisiana Legislature Paves the Way for Telehealth Opportunities

Louisiana Legislature Paves the Way for Telehealth Opportunities

Telehealth isn’t just for rural areas anymore. Everyone benefits from the savings and convenience of telehealth. Louisiana recognized that quality healthcare can be achieved in telehealth by passing important telehealth laws including the creation of the Louisiana Telehealth Access Act.  Representative Scott Simon introduced House Bill 1280 which was signed into law as Act 442 effective August 1, 2014.

Currently, Louisiana statutes governing the licensing of physicians in “telemedicine” define the practice as:

The practice of health care delivery, diagnosis, consultation, treatment, and transfer of medical data using interactive telecommunication technology that enables a health care practitioner and a patient at two locations separated by distance to interact via two-way video and audio transmissions simultaneously.  La. R.S. 37:1262.

Building upon the physicians’ telemedicine provisions, the Louisiana Telehealth Access Act recognizes telehealth as an innovative form of health care.   Telehealth is defined as a mode of delivering healthcare services that utilizes information and communication technologies to enable the diagnosis, consultation, treatment, education, care management, and self-management of patients at a distance from healthcare providers and which allows services to be accessed when providers are in a distant site and patients are in the originating site.  Telehealth facilitates patient self-management and caregiver support for patients and includes synchronous interactions and asynchronous store and forward transfers.

Act 442 enables healthcare providers to consider telehealth to improve access to quality healthcare in Louisiana.  Listed below are several significant provisions now in effect.

Physicians

A physician practicing telemedicine shall use the same standard of care as if the healthcare services were provided in person.

A physician practicing pursuant to a telemedicine license, shall not be required to conduct an in-person patient history or physical examination of the patient before engaging in a telemedicine encounter if all of the following conditions are met:

(1) The physician practicing telemedicine holds an unrestricted license to practice medicine in Louisiana;

(2) The physician practicing telemedicine has access to the patient’s medical records upon consent of the patient; and 

(3) The physician practicing telemedicine maintains a physical practice location within the state of Louisiana or executes an affirmation with the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (LSBME) that the physician has an arrangement with another physician who maintains a physical practice location in Louisiana to provide for referrals and follow-up care which may be necessary.

Patients receiving telemedicine services may be in any location at the time that the telemedicine services are rendered and a telemedicine physician may be in any location when providing telemedicine services to a patient.

Physician documentation requirements do not change because of the service being provided via telemedicine.  All recordings, i.e. written, video and audio, generated as a result of the telemedicine service are confidential and are subject to all state and federal privacy laws.

Unless authorization is granted by the LSBME, a physician practicing telemedicine is prohibited from prescribing any controlled dangerous substance prior to conducting an appropriate in-person patient history or physical examination of the patient as determined by the LSBME.

All Other Healthcare Providers

Act 442 sets the stage for healthcare delivery innovation by all healthcare providers. Although it addresses standard of care, confidentiality of records, licensure and out of state providers,  rulemaking authority is still given to each state agency, professional or occupational licensing board or commission regulating the practice of a healthcare provider to promulgate any rules necessary to provide for, promote, and regulate the use of telehealth in healthcare delivery.

Louisiana’s legislature has set the stage for its healthcare providers to virtually transform healthcare delivery in our state. Are we ready for all those opportunities?

 

Louisiana Legislature Paves the Way for Telehealth Opportunities

Louisiana Legislature Paves the Way for Telehealth Opportunities

Telehealth isn’t just for rural areas anymore. Everyone benefits from the savings and convenience of telehealth. Louisiana recognized that quality healthcare can be achieved in telehealth by passing important telehealth laws including the creation of the Louisiana Telehealth Access Act.  Representative Scott Simon introduced House Bill 1280 which was signed into law as Act 442 effective August 1, 2014.

Currently, Louisiana statutes governing the licensing of physicians in “telemedicine” define the practice as:

The practice of health care delivery, diagnosis, consultation, treatment, and transfer of medical data using interactive telecommunication technology that enables a health care practitioner and a patient at two locations separated by distance to interact via two-way video and audio transmissions simultaneously.  La. R.S. 37:1262.

Building upon the physicians’ telemedicine provisions, the Louisiana Telehealth Access Act recognizes telehealth as an innovative form of health care.   Telehealth is defined as a mode of delivering healthcare services that utilizes information and communication technologies to enable the diagnosis, consultation, treatment, education, care management, and self-management of patients at a distance from healthcare providers and which allows services to be accessed when providers are in a distant site and patients are in the originating site.  Telehealth facilitates patient self-management and caregiver support for patients and includes synchronous interactions and asynchronous store and forward transfers.

Act 442 enables healthcare providers to consider telehealth to improve access to quality healthcare in Louisiana.  Listed below are several significant provisions now in effect.

Physicians

A physician practicing telemedicine shall use the same standard of care as if the healthcare services were provided in person.

A physician practicing pursuant to a telemedicine license, shall not be required to conduct an in-person patient history or physical examination of the patient before engaging in a telemedicine encounter if all of the following conditions are met:

(1) The physician practicing telemedicine holds an unrestricted license to practice medicine in Louisiana;

(2) The physician practicing telemedicine has access to the patient’s medical records upon consent of the patient; and 

(3) The physician practicing telemedicine maintains a physical practice location within the state of Louisiana or executes an affirmation with the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (LSBME) that the physician has an arrangement with another physician who maintains a physical practice location in Louisiana to provide for referrals and follow-up care which may be necessary.

Patients receiving telemedicine services may be in any location at the time that the telemedicine services are rendered and a telemedicine physician may be in any location when providing telemedicine services to a patient.

Physician documentation requirements do not change because of the service being provided via telemedicine.  All recordings, i.e. written, video and audio, generated as a result of the telemedicine service are confidential and are subject to all state and federal privacy laws.

Unless authorization is granted by the LSBME, a physician practicing telemedicine is prohibited from prescribing any controlled dangerous substance prior to conducting an appropriate in-person patient history or physical examination of the patient as determined by the LSBME.

All Other Healthcare Providers

Act 442 sets the stage for healthcare delivery innovation by all healthcare providers. Although it addresses standard of care, confidentiality of records, licensure and out of state providers,  rulemaking authority is still given to each state agency, professional or occupational licensing board or commission regulating the practice of a healthcare provider to promulgate any rules necessary to provide for, promote, and regulate the use of telehealth in healthcare delivery.

Louisiana’s legislature has set the stage for its healthcare providers to virtually transform healthcare delivery in our state. Are we ready for all those opportunities?