HB 5615
Relating to Teleheatlh
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Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed House of Delegates
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill modifies West Virginia’s code to allow for initial telemedicine services without requiring in-person visits and establishes guidelines for documentation and patient confidentiality. It aims to remove barriers to telehealth access while maintaining standards of care. Specifically, it addresses prescribing limitations, particularly regarding controlled substances and abortion-inducing drugs, and clarifies jurisdictional requirements for telehealth practices. The bill also establishes rules for establishing a physician-patient relationship through telemedicine.
Key provisions
- Removes in-person visit requirements for initial telemedicine services.
- Establishes requirements for documentation and patient confidentiality in telehealth practices.
- Sets prescribing limitations for controlled substances, excluding certain exceptions.
- Prohibits prescribing abortifacient medications.
- Clarifies jurisdictional requirements for telehealth practitioners and patients.
- Defines key terms related to telehealth, such as ‘telemedicine,’ ‘interstate telehealth services,’ and ‘registration.’
- Specifies that a physician-patient relationship must be established through interactive audio or video communication for initial telehealth encounters.
- Requires physicians to verify patient identity and location during telehealth consultations.
Who is affected
- Healthcare practitioners (physicians, podiatrists, registered nurses, etc.)
- Patients seeking telehealth services
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Kump
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