36-3606. Interstate telehealth services; registration; requirements; venue; exceptions

A. A health care provider who is not licensed in this state may provide telehealth services to a person located in this state if the health care provider complies with all of the following:

1. Registers with this state's applicable health care provider regulatory board or agency that licenses comparable health care providers in this state on an application prescribed by the board or agency that contains all of the following:

(a) The health care provider's name.

(b) Proof of the health care provider's professional licensure, including all United States jurisdictions in which the provider is licensed and the license numbers.  Verification of licensure in another state shall be made through information obtained from the applicable regulatory board's website.

(c) The health care provider's address, email address and telephone number, including information if the provider needs to be contacted urgently.

(d) Evidence of professional liability insurance coverage.

(e) Designation of a duly appointed statutory agent for service of process in this state.

2. Before prescribing a controlled substance to a patient in this state, registers with the controlled substances prescription monitoring program established pursuant to chapter 28 of this title.

3. Pays the registration fee as determined by the applicable health care provider regulatory board or agency.

4. Holds a current, valid and unrestricted license to practice in another state that is substantially similar to a license issued in this state to a comparable health care provider and is not subject to any past or pending disciplinary proceedings in any jurisdiction.  The health care provider shall notify the applicable health care provider regulatory board or agency within five days after any restriction is placed on the health care provider's license or any disciplinary action is initiated or imposed. The health care provider regulatory board or agency registering the health care provider may use the national practitioner databank to verify the information submitted pursuant to this paragraph.

5. Acts in full compliance with all applicable laws and rules of this state, including scope of practice, laws and rules governing prescribing, dispensing and administering prescription drugs and devices, telehealth requirements and the best practice guidelines adopted by the telehealth advisory committee on telehealth best practices established by section 36-3607.

6. Complies with all existing requirements of this state and any other state in which the health care provider is licensed regarding maintaining professional liability insurance, including coverage for telehealth services provided in this state.

7. Consents to this state's jurisdiction for any disciplinary action or legal proceeding related to the health care provider's acts or omissions under this article.

8. Follows this state's standards of care for that particular licensed health profession.

9. Annually updates the health care provider's registration for accuracy and submits to the applicable health care provider regulatory board or agency a report with the number of patients the provider served in this state and the total number and type of encounters in this state for the preceding year.

B. A health care provider who is registered pursuant to this section may not:

1. Open an office in this state, except as part of a multistate provider group that includes at least one health care provider who is licensed in this state through the applicable health care provider regulatory board or agency.

2. Provide in-person health care services to persons located in this state without first obtaining a license through the applicable health care provider regulatory board or agency.

C. A health care provider who fails to comply with the applicable laws and rules of this state is subject to investigation and both nondisciplinary and disciplinary action by the applicable health care provider regulatory board or agency in this state. For the purposes of disciplinary action by the applicable health care provider regulatory board or agency in this state, all statutory authority regarding investigating, rehabilitating and educating health care providers may be used.  If a health care provider fails to comply with the applicable laws and rules of this state, the applicable health care provider regulatory board or agency in this state may revoke or prohibit the health care provider's privileges in this state, report the action to the national practitioner database and refer the matter to the licensing authority in the state or states where the health care provider possesses a professional license.  In any matter or proceeding arising from such a referral, the applicable health care provider regulatory board or agency in this state may share any related disciplinary and investigative information in its possession with another state licensing board.

D. The venue for any civil or criminal action arising from a violation of this section is the patient's county of residence in this state.

E. A health care provider who is not licensed to provide health care services in this state but who holds an active license to provide health care services in another jurisdiction and who provides telehealth services to a person located in this state is not subject to the registration requirements of this section if either of the following applies:

1. The services are provided under one of the following circumstances:

(a) In response to an emergency medication condition.

(b) In consultation with a health care provider who is licensed in this state and who has the ultimate authority over the patient's diagnosis and treatment.

(c) To provide after-care specifically related to a medical procedure that was delivered in person in another state.

(d) To a person who is a resident of another state and the telehealth provider is the primary care provider or behavioral health provider located in the person's state of residence. 

2. The health care provider provides fewer than ten telehealth encounters in a calendar year.