The Colorado Medical Board has offered updated draft guidelines for telehealth and remote prescribing that aim to standardize care while increasing widespread patient access in the state.
The following measures are included among the new rules, according to a report from The National Law Review.
• Providers and patients must both be in the Colorado at the time of consult.
• A valid provider-patient relationship may be established electronically using teleheath so long as medical board guidelines are met.
• Consultation recommendations, treatment and remote prescribing will be held to the same standards of practice as those in traditional settings.
• The guidance holds that prescribing medications remotely is at the provider's discretion so long as the prescription is within current standards of practice. However, medical marijuana may not be prescribed via telehealth.
• Patient consent for use of telehealth must be maintained as part of their medical record.
• If using teleheath, patients should be able to seek follow-up care or information from the provider with relative ease.
• Providers are required to maintain emergency plans in a formal, written protocol.
• Any medical records created during a telehealth consultation must be documented and accessible to the patient.
• Providers using online services to offer telehealth to patients should provide clear mechanisms to access personal health information, provide feedback and register complaints.
• A number of disclosures are required to be made when using telehealth to provide care, including provider contact information, licensure and qualifications, fees for service and methods of payments, financial interests and patient's rights, among others.
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