Telehealth Certification Institute

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District of Columbia

Counselors

We are not aware of any specific rules and regulations of the practice of telemental health services for Counselors.

Social Workers

We are not aware of any specific rules and regulations of the practice of telemental health services for Social Workers.

Marriage and Family Therapists

We are not aware of any specific rules and regulations of the practice of telemental health services for MFTs.

Psychologists

We are not aware of any specific rules and regulations of the practice of telemental health services for Psychologists.

Psychiatrists

Source

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HEALTH REGULATION AND LICENSING ADMINISTRATION BOARD OF MEDICINE

“ “Telemedicine” means the practice of medicine by a licensed practitioner to provide patient care treatment or services, between a licensee in one location and a patient in another location with or without an intervening healthcare provider, through the use of health information and technology communications, subject to the existing standards of care and conduct. Generally, telemedicine is not an audio-only telephone conversation, electronic mail, or instant messaging conversation or via fax. Telemedicine typically involves the application of secure videoconferencing or store and forward technology to provide or support the delivery of healthcare by replicating the interaction of a traditional encounter in person between a licensee and patient. 1.1 A license to practice medicine in the District of Columbia is required in order to practice telemedicine, except as specified in §3-1205.01 and 3-1205.02 of the Health Occupations Revision Act of the District of Columbia (D.C. Law 6-00; D.C. Official Code § 3-1201.01 et seq.).”

“1.1 A license to practice medicine in the District of Columbia is required in order to practice telemedicine, except as specified in §3-1205.01 and 3-1205.02 of the Health Occupations Revision Act of the District of Columbia (D.C. Law 6-00; D.C. Official Code § 3-1201.01 et seq.). 1.2 In making medical decisions, a physician shall ensure that the quality and quantity of data and other information meet all applicable standards of care. 1.3 Except when a physician is performing interpretive services, the physician shall perform a patient evaluation that meets the requirements set forth in 17 DCMR § 4618.7 before providing recommendations or making treatment decisions for a patient. 1.4 When providing interpretive services, the physician shall ensure that there is no clinically significant loss of data from image acquisition through the transmission to the final image display. 1.5 A physician practicing telemedicine shall: Page 3 of 4 (a) Obtain and document patient consent, except when providing interpretive services; (b) Create and maintain adequate medical records; (c) Follow requirements of the District of Columbia and federal law and regulations with respect to the confidentiality of medical records and disclosure of medical records, and (d) Adhere to requirements and prohibitions found in the Health Occupation Revision Act of the District of Columbia (D.C. Law 6-00; D.C. Official Code § 3- 1201.01 et seq.). 1.6 A physician shall perform a patient evaluation adequate to establish diagnoses and identify underlying conditions or contraindications to recommended treatment options before providing treatment or prescribing medication. 1.7 A District of Columbia-licensed physician may rely on a patient evaluation performed by another District of Columbia-licensed physician if the former is providing coverage for the latter. 1.8 If a physician-patient relationship does not include prior in-person, face-to-face interaction with a patient, the physician shall incorporate real-time auditory communications or real-time visual and auditory communications to allow a free exchange of protected health information between the patient and the physician performing the patient evaluation. 1.9 In order to deliver services or treatment through telemedicine, a licensed practitioner should have the current minimal technological capabilities to meet all standard of care requirements. 1.10 Adequate security measures should be implemented to ensure that all patient communications, recordings, and records remain confidential. 1.11 Written policies and procedures should be maintained when using electronic mail for physician-patient communications. Policies should be evaluated periodically to make sure they are up to date. Such policies and procedures should address: (a) Privacy to assure confidentiality and integrity of patient-identifiable information; (b) Health care personnel, in addition to the physician, who will process messages; (c) Hours of operation and availability; Page 4 of 4 (d) Types of transactions that will be permitted electronically; (e) Required patient information to be included in the communication, such as patient name, identification number, and type of transaction; (f) Archival and retrieval of patient records; and (g) Quality oversight mechanisms. 1.12 All relevant patient-physician e-mail, as well as other patient-related electronic communications, should be stored and filed in the patient's medical record. 1.13 Patients should be informed of alternate forms of communication between the patient and a physician for urgent matters. 1.14 In adhering to this policy, all licensees shall continue to be subject to the requirements of the Health Occupations Revision Act, D.C. Official Code, §§ 3- 1201 et seq., and the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations §§ 17-4600 et seq.”

Refer to the source provided for all requirements and limitations.

District of Columbia Professional Regulation/Health & Safety Online Prescribing

No Reference Found

 

Nurses

We are not aware of any specific rules and regulations of the practice of telemental health services for Nurses.

District of Columbia Professional Regulation/Health & Safety Online Prescribing

No Reference Found

 

Medicaid Telehealth Parity Law

Source: DC Code 31-3863

“Medicaid shall cover and reimburse for healthcare services appropriately delivered through telehealth if the same services would be covered when delivered in person.”

Refer to the source provided for all requirements and limitations.

Private Pay Telehealth Parity Law

Source: DC Code Sec. 31-3862

  • 31–3862. Private reimbursement

“(a) A health insurer offering a health benefits plan in the District may not deny coverage for a healthcare service on the basis that the service is provided through telehealth if the same service would be covered when delivered in person.

(e) A health insurer shall not impose any annual or lifetime dollar maximum on coverage for telehealth services other than an annual or lifetime dollar maximum that applies in the aggregate to all items and services under the health benefits plan.”

Refer to the source provided for all requirements and limitations.

 

Payment Parity

We are not aware of any.

 

Permission for the Temporary Practice of Clinicians Licensed Outside the State

We are not aware of any permission that allows for services delivered by out-of-state providers.

Note: As this is a free resource and Rules and Regulations regarding Telehealth are always changing, we appreciate any updates or corrections. They can be emailed to us at [email protected] with a link to the source or a citation of the rule or regulation.

Telemental Health Training Certificate Program

Telemental health is not a separate service from mental health services. All state licensing boards require that licensed clinicians follow all the regulations for practicing under their license no matter what medium of communication is used. All licensing boards also require that clinicians only practice within the boundaries of their competence. This usually requires education, continuing education, and/or supervision in telemental health. Complete our telehealth training program to cover all the essential competencies of providing telemental health services and earn the THTC (Telemental Health Training Certificate).