Amendment #15 to H4888

Promoting the Use of Telehealth

Mr. Honan of Boston moves to amend the bill, as amended, by adding the following sections:

SECTION XX.

Section 5O (a) of Chapter 112 is amended to read in its entirety as follows:

Section 5O. (a) For the purposes of this section, “telehealth” shall mean the use of synchronous or asynchronous audio, video, electronic media or other telecommunications technology, including but not limited to interactive audio-video technology, audio-only  telephone, and online adaptive interviews, for the purpose of evaluating, diagnosing, consulting, prescribing, treating, or monitoring of a patient's physical, oral or mental health; provided, however, that “telehealth” shall not include text messaging or text-only email, and provided further that prescribing via telehealth of controlled substances on schedules II, III, IV and V, as established under section 3 of chapter 94C of ‎the general laws, ‎ shall be limited to the treatment of a condition previously diagnosed during an in-person visit by the telehealth provider or to the issuance of a one-time prescription to the treat the sudden onset of an illness or injury, manifesting itself by acute symptoms.

SECTION XX.

Section 5O(c) of Chapter 112 as created by Section of the bill is amended by adding the following sentence:

The Board shall determine that a service is not appropriate to provide through telehealth only on the basis of information demonstrating adverse health outcomes attributable to the use of telehealth by physicians who otherwise follow the prevailing standard of care for their specialty.

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #15 to H4888

Promoting the Use of Telehealth