5 Updates + ATA Nexus Discount Code

Before we dive into the updates, you need to know we’ll be at #ATANexus in Phoenix May 5-7. Will you be there? If so, we have a speaker discount code of $350 to share: ATA24SPKNET

Actually, we have four of them, but you can only use one per registration. :) That’s because Carrie Nixon, Rebecca Gwilt, Kaitlyn O’Connor, and Michael Schellhous will all be on hand to talk about all things #remotemonitoring, #virtualreality, #telehealth policy, and #medicaldevices.?

If you’re going, please comment or DM so we can make sure to connect live. And if you’re not going, you can count on a full update via our LinkedIn feeds, so make sure you’re following each of us.

Now let’s get to the updates.

Ohio?

Allows Telehealth Services to Establish a Physician-Patient Relationship to Prescribe Medical Marijuana

TLDR: Effective February 29, 2024, the Ohio Medical Board amended the standard of care for physicians prescribing medical marijuana. Physicians can now establish a bona fide physician-patient relationship through a telehealth services examination to prescribe medical marijuana. When prescribing using telehealth services, the physician must provide care to the patient on an ongoing basis and document the telehealth visits in the patient’s medical record.?

?Key Takeaways:?

• Ohio physicians may now prescribe medical marijuana after establishing and maintaining a physician-patient relationship using telehealth services.?
• Check out the full revisions here.

Oregon

Health Authority Includes “Telehealth Services” in Face-to-Face Definition

TLDR: Effective February 29, 2024, the Oregon Health Authority added “telehealth services” to the definition of face-to-face. This change allows those applying for the state’s Medicaid Home and Community Based Services plan to be eligible based on a virtual needs-based assessment as opposed to the previously required in-person needs-based assessment. By permitting the initial needs-based assessment to be virtual, the state expanded access to the program for those with limited mobility.?

?Key Takeaways:?

• The new face-to-face definition replaces the in-person requirement to conduct a needs-based assessment for Oregon Medicaid’s 1915(i) Home and Community Based Service program.?
• Check out the full revisions here.

South Dakota (2)

Enters Counseling Interstate Compact

TLDR: Effective July 1, 2024, South Dakota will enter the Professional Counselors Licensure Compact. The Compact enables Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) in South Dakota to practice in other Compact states, and enables LPCs licensed in other Compact states to practice in South Dakota without the need to obtain additional licenses.?

?Key Takeaways:?

• Under the Compact, LPCs licensed in member states have the right to practice in any member state via telehealth.
• South Dakota is the thirty-third state to enter the Compact.?
• Check out the full revisions here.

Adds Telehealth to Hearing Aid Dispenser and Audiologist Law

TLDR: Effective July 1, 2024, South Dakota added a section to their regulations for hearing aid dispensers and audiologists that addresses the use of telehealth. Licensed hearing aid dispensers and audiologists may provide services via telehealth as long as they follow the state’s Telehealth Utilization by Healthcare Professionals regulations. This change may expand access to audiology and hearing aid dispensing services in South Dakota.?

Key Takeaways:

• Hearing aid and audiology services delivered via telehealth must be the same quality as those delivered face-to-face.
• Providers utilizing telehealth must establish a proper provider-patient relationship that includes:Verification of patient location,Disclosure of provider credentials,Appropriate consent for treatment,Discussion of treatment benefits and risks, andAppropriate follow-up care for the patient.
• Check out the full revisions here.

Texas?

TLDR: Effective February 29, 2024, Texas adds statutory provisions that will affect licensed behavioral analysts and licensed assistant behavioral analysts providing care via telehealth. Specifically, these developments impact 1) who can provide behavioral analysis telehealth services; 2) what supervision level is required; 3) what counts as informed consent; and 4) which services are provided via telehealth.

Key Takeaways:?

• Unless otherwise authorized to do so, only licensed behavioral analysts and licensed assistant behavioral analysts can provide behavioral analysis telehealth services outlined in this provision. That said, a provider may engage in direct or indirect supervision through telehealth as long as that supervision meets the certifying entities’ standards.?
• Informed consent: the client shall be notified of conditions of telehealth services, including but not limited to, the right to refuse or discontinue telehealth services; options for service delivery; differences between in-person and remote services; and instructions for filing and resolving complaints.?
• Licensed behavioral analysts and licensed assistant behavioral analysts are responsible for deciding if telehealth is appropriate for initial contact with the client and whether particular procedures or procedures can be completed via telehealth.?
• Check out full revisions here.

And that brings another issue to a close.

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