The fast-spreading novel coronavirus is increasing the use of telemedicine across the country and in Texas. Telemedicine provides a way for patients to get medical advice without visiting a crowded doctor’s office, and in the case of rural areas, without traveling long distances. In the wake of COVID-19, Texas, other states and the federal government have relaxed certain regulations, clearing the way for health care providers and patients to use telemedicine.

Here are two key changes made in Texas:

  • Gov. Greg Abbott suspended certain requirements regarding the establishment of a doctor-patient relationship for a telemedicine visit. Now, a phone consultation is sufficient to create that relationship. Following the governor’s action, the Texas Medical Board issued new relaxed guidance, which clarified that audio-only telephone calls would be sufficient to establish a physician-patient relationship for all purposes, and may be used for diagnosis, treatment and ordering of tests for any conditions (not just for issues or conditions related to the COVID 19).
  • Abbott also directed the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) to issue a new emergency telemedicine rule. That provision means physicians and other healthcare professionals in Texas must be paid by insurance plans regulated by the TDI for medical visits they conduct over the phone at the same rate they would receive for in-person visits.

This content has been archived. It is available through our partners, LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law.

To view this content, please continue to their sites.

Not a Lexis Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Not a Bloomberg Law Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Why am I seeing this?

LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law are third party online distributors of the broad collection of current and archived versions of ALM's legal news publications. LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law customers are able to access and use ALM's content, including content from the National Law Journal, The American Lawyer, Legaltech News, The New York Law Journal, and Corporate Counsel, as well as other sources of legal information.

For questions call 1-877-256-2472 or contact us at [email protected]