Here are five things to know.
1. Texas opted to suspend certain regulations to allow out-of-state physicians support disaster response teams in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission said licensed medical workers employed by a U.S. hospital will not need a Texas license to treat affected patients.
2. Physicians who are not affiliated with a U.S. hospital can apply for an expedited permit. Unaffiliated medical workers like physician assistants, radiology technicians and surgical assistants are also invited to fill out temporary permit applications through the Texas Medical Board website.
3. The Texas Board of Nursing and the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists also issued temporary licenses for out-of-state nurses and psychologists, respectively, NPR reports.
4. The suspension of in-state medical license requirements will ease barriers for telemedicine providers, the Politico Morning eHealth newsletter notes. Jacksonville, Fla.-based Nemours Children’s Health System, which is offering free remote pediatric visits to families affected by Hurricane Harvey, highlighted its ability to expand services to Texas under the suspension.
5. The suspension will remain in effect until the governor’s disaster declaration is lifted or expires.
More articles on telehealth:
NQF: 6 key categories to measure telehealth quality, impact
Florida Hospital Zephyrhills to deploy teleICU services
5 telehealth vendors helping Hurricane Harvey victims
