To achieve the potential benefits of expanded access to care for residents, states have implemented regulations to ensure the safety, security and quality of services delivered through telehealth. Similarly, providers are responsible for understanding the standards of care, patient-provider relationship and informed consent requirements within each state when considering telehealth practice across state lines.
Upholding Standards of Care
State statutes define standards of care, as well as malpractice, in very specific terms for health care delivery, both in-person and via telehealth. And because they vary from state to state, providers using telehealth must be aware of the standards of care of each state they practice in. In response to increased telehealth usage, some states, including Idaho, Missouri and Texas, simplified matters and determined that the standard of care for in-person services also applies to telehealth.