The ATA (@AmericanTelemed), the premier organization working to accelerate the adoption of telehealth, pledged to support states across the nation and their health care needs by encouraging governors and state professional licensing boards to allow out-of-state clinicians holding a license in good standing to treat residents in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
“Requirements that a provider be licensed in the state where a patient is located present significant challenges to rapidly expanding access to care as we work to combat COVID-19,” said Ann Mond Johnson, CEO, the ATA.
The ATA encourages governors and state licensing boards to waive any unnecessary regulatory restrictions that limit care delivery via telehealth, including limits on advanced practice provider supervision and limits on specific technologies to establish a patient-provider relationship for diagnosis and treatment recommendations, so long as the standard of care is met. The ATA also urges states to lift these licensure regulations without the need for clinicians to obtain special approval.
“In light of today’s guidance from CMS regarding Medicare coverage and payment of telehealth and virtual services, we encourage states to modify requirements on the type of telehealth modalities and technologies that providers can use, which will help ensure timely triaging and treatment of patients, much like what Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina and others have already done. Providers should be able to use every tool at their disposal to help keep health care workers safe and ensure that resources are reserved for those individuals in need of in-person care,” added Mond Johnson. “We encourage states that have not already waived these restrictions to do so as soon as possible to ensure health care providers can quickly expand access to virtual services.”
View the ATA Summary of Recommendations to Waive State Licensing Restrictions
About the ATA
As the only organization completely focused on advancing telehealth, the ATA is committed to ensuring that everyone has access to safe, affordable, and appropriate care when and where they need it, enabling the system to do more good for more people. ATA represents a broad and inclusive member network of technology solution providers and payers, as well as partner organizations and alliances, working to advance industry adoption of telehealth, promote responsible policy, advocate for government and market normalization, and provide education and resources to help integrate virtual care into emerging value-based delivery models. #gotelehealth #ATApolicy
