Telehealth and Telemedicine
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"Telehealth" and "Telemedicine" are two terms that are often used and can be confusing for practitioners and patients.
What is Telemedicine?
"Telemedicine medical service" means a health care service delivered by a physician licensed in this state, or a health professional acting under the delegation and supervision of a physician licensed in this state, and acting within the scope of the physician's or health professional's license to a patient at a different physical location than the physician or health professional using telecommunications or information technology.
A podiatrist can only practice telemedicine under the delegation of a MD or DO.
A podiatrist in this scenario must:
- Apply the same standard of care that would apply to the provision of the same health care service or procedures in an in person setting;
- establish a practitioner-patient relationship; and
- must maintain complete and accurate medical records as set out in §165.1 of this title (relating to Medical Records).
What is Telehealth?
"Telehealth service" means a health service, other than a telemedicine medical service, delivered by a health professional licensed, certified, or otherwise entitled to practice in this state and acting within the scope of the health professional's license, certification, or entitlement to a patient at a different physical location than the health professional using telecommunications or information technology.
As a health professional defined under Chapter 1455 of the insurance code, a podiatrist can provide telehealth services.
A podiatrist in this scenario must:
- Apply the same standard of care that would apply to the provision of the same health care service or procedures in an in person setting;
- establish a practitioner-patient relationship; and
- must maintain complete and accurate medical records as set out in §165.1 of this title (relating to Medical Records).
A podiatrist should check with their malpractice insurance carrier to ensure that the practice of telehealth is covered by their policy