H.F. 88 Section 1. TELEHEALTH OR TELEMEDICINE —— 1 HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS —— USE OF AUDIO-ONLY 2 COMMUNICATION. Notwithstanding any provision of law to 3 the contrary, a board designated pursuant to section 147.13 4 that licenses, certifies, or otherwise authorizes or permits 5 health-related professionals to administer health care services 6 in the ordinary course of business or in the practice of 7 a profession, and which authorizes the use of telehealth 8 or telemedicine by such health-related professionals, 9 shall amend or adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A to 10 allow a health-related professional under the purview of 11 the appropriate licensing board to utilize telehealth or 12 telemedicine to deliver health care services through the use 13 of interactive audio-only communication if the health care 14 professional, through the use of audio-only telehealth or 15 telemedicine, meets the same standards of care and professional 16 ethics as required for that health care professional for the 17 provision of in-person health care. 18 EXPLANATION 19 The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with 20 the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly. 21 This bill provides that, notwithstanding any provision of 22 law to the contrary, a health-related professional licensing 23 board that authorizes the use of telehealth or telemedicine 24 by health-related professionals shall amend or adopt 25 administrative rules to allow a health-related professional 26 under the purview of the appropriate licensing board to utilize 27 telehealth or telemedicine to deliver health care services 28 through the use of interactive audio-only communication if 29 the health care professional, through the use of audio-only 30 telehealth or telemedicine, is able to meet the same standards 31 of care and professional ethics as required for that health 32 care professional for the provision of in-person health care. 33 -1- LSB 1762YH (2) 89 pf/rh 1/ 1