Overview:
In the first model, a patient will appear at an established medical site where there is a qualified patient extender. The patient will be able to see the physician via telemedicine, and this can include the initial visit. There are a few exceptions made for the provision of mental care services.
The second model allows a patient to be treated via telemedicine from their home. This will be available for a physician to treat a patient for a previously diagnosed condition. There must be an initial visit to establish a diagnosis and relationship, as well as a required annual visit, both of which must be conducted in person in a face to face meeting with the physician.
The newly crafted rule will be presented to the board at their February board meeting. At the meeting, the board has the option to publish the rule to allow more comments or to direct staff to go back and do additional work on this matter.
A copy of the draft rules can be found by visiting: http://www.tmb.state.tx.us/rules/rules/174v5DraftforTelMedComm.pdf
During the February 4, 2010 Texas Medical Board Telemedicine Committee meeting, they moved to accept the two model rule. The Texas Medical Board (full board) meeting will occur on February 5, 2010.
In response to a Telemedicine Stakeholder meeting conducted by the Texas Medical Board, the board has made many changes to the originally proposed rule. Generally, they have crafted two models for telemedicine.
