Telemedicine Controversy in Texas

American Legislator ^ | 4-20-15 | Sean Riley

[ThethoughtsofGreg]

The Texas Medical Board views rules it adopted April 10 as “expanding telemedicine opportunities,” but business and industry groups insist they’ll instead serve to “drive a stake through the heart” of telemedicine in the Lone Star State.

At the center of the issue is whether a video consultation is enough to establish the requisite doctor-patient relationship for physicians to prescribe medication or provide a diagnosis. That convenience is critical if an overarching goal of telemedicine is to deliver care to the underserved, particularly in rural areas where geography and provider shortages create access issues. The board’s rules, however, require either an initial in-person visit, or a video conference where a separate medical assistant is physically present alongside the patient.

Though they don’t go into effect until June 2015, the rules follow from a legal battle initiated in 2011 when the board threatened disciplinary action against doctors working with the Dallas-based Teladoc, a 24/7 telemedicine company that provides $40 video and telephone consultations between doctors and patients for common health issues.

[Secret Agent Man]

Good grief, if this can be made to work acceptably in Alaska, Texas ought to be able to get it to work.

[Resolute Conservative]

Follow the money

[corbe]

Quack Doctors that can’t get a license to practice medicine in Texas will now be able to prescribe Hydrocodone and Oxy’s over the Internet, the blogs will live forever.

Ain’t technology grand?

Thank you Al Bore!!!!

[GeronL]

Exactly

[JRandomFreeper]

I understand that there are new laws dealing with Hydrocodone and such. They aren't as easy to get as they used to be.

This would be a good thing if the VA could do it, and could save me hours of time on the road for some stuff like speech therapy consultations. That, I would like to see.

Don't assume everything comes down to drugs.

/johnny