White Paper Has the 411 on Telemedicine
By David Doolittle

April27_Free_CME

How well do you understand Texas’ new laws and regulations relating to telemedicine?

For instance, if I asked you how telemedicine is different from telehealth, would you know which can be done only by a physician? (Hint: It’s the one with an “m” in it.)

What if I asked you to list the special requirements for issuing a prescription through telemedicine?

Do you know that you must:

  1. Have a preexisting practitioner-patient relationship in accordance with applicable rules?
  2. Communicate with the patient in accordance with a valid call coverage agreement in accordance with Texas Medical Board rules?
  3. Use appropriate technology that can provide access to necessary clinical information?

Perhaps most importantly, do you know how to receive payment for medical services you provide via telemedicine?

If by this point you’re not feeling all that certain about all of this, don’t worry, and don’t hesitate to check out the Texas Medical Association’s new white paper on … you guessed it: telemedicine (see, you’re getting smarter already).

The white paper, available for TMA members only, answers the questions above and then some. It also outlines the legal guidelines for providing care via telemedicine and additional requirements you should consider.

Now, obviously the white paper (and especially this article) are not a substitute for the advice of an attorney. But if you want to get a better understanding of telemedicine, check out Texas Laws and Regulations Relating to Telemedicine (log-in required) or download a PDF of the white paper.

And, of course, more information can be found on TMA’s Telemedicine in Texas webpage.

 

Last Updated On

March 19, 2020

Originally Published On

May 17, 2018

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