Overview of Telehealth Policies

1. Telehealth Policies (Governance-Level Rules)

Purpose: Establish organizational expectations, legal compliance, and scope of telehealth services.

Key policy domains include:

Regulatory and Legal Compliance
- Compliance with federal and state telehealth laws (e.g., licensure, scope of practice).
- Adherence to HIPAA and data privacy regulations.
- Compliance with CMS and private payer telehealth reimbursement rules.
- Interstate practice governed by licensure compacts where applicable.
Credentialing and Privileging
- Verification that providers are licensed in the patient's state.
- Telehealth-specific privileging and competency validation.
- Ongoing quality and performance monitoring.
Patient Eligibility and Consent
- Definition of services appropriate for telehealth vs. in-person care.
- Requirement for informed consent specific to telehealth.
- Policies addressing minors and guardianship.
Technology Standards
- Use of secure, encrypted platforms.
- Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) with vendors.
- Device and network security requirements.
Equity and Language Access
- Provision of interpreter services.
- ADA compliance (captions, screen readers).
- Non-discrimination in access to care.
- Connecticut Telehealth Policies
- Maine Telehealth Policies
- Massachusetts Telehealth Policies
- New Hampshire Telehealth Policies
- New York Telehealth Policies
- Rhode Island Telehealth Policies
- Vermont Telehealth Policies

2. Telehealth Procedures (Operational Steps)

Purpose: Translate policy into day-to-day operational actions.

Typical procedures include:

Patient Intake and Scheduling
- Verification of patient identity and location.
- Documentation of consent for telehealth.
- Collection of demographic and insurance data.
Pre-Visit Preparation
- Technology readiness checks.
- Distribution of instructions to patients.
- Coordination of interpreter or assistive services if needed.
Conducting the Telehealth Visit
- Provider confirms patient identity and location.
- Explanation of visit limitations.
- Documentation in the electronic health record (EHR).
- Clinical decision-making based on telehealth appropriateness.
Documentation and Coding
- Use of telehealth modifiers and place-of-service codes.
- Proper notation of modality (audio-only vs. audio-video).
- Compliance with payer documentation standards.
Post-Visit Follow-Up
- Prescriptions, referrals, and lab orders.
- Patient education materials.
- Scheduling of in-person care when necessary.

3. Telehealth Protocols (Clinical Practice Standards)

Purpose: Define clinical rules for delivering safe, effective care via telehealth.

Examples of protocol areas:

Clinical Appropriateness Protocols
- Conditions suitable for telehealth (e.g., behavioral health, chronic disease management).
- Red flags requiring in-person evaluation.
- Triage criteria.
Emergency Protocols
- Verification of patient physical location at each visit.
- Steps if patient is in distress or loses connection.
- Coordination with local emergency services.
Infection Control Protocols
- Guidance for virtual screening.
- Referral pathways for in-person testing or treatment.
Prescribing Protocols
- Controlled substance rules (DEA and state law).
- Verification of patient identity.
- Safe medication management practices.
Quality and Safety Protocols
- Incident reporting.
- Peer review of telehealth encounters.
- Continuous quality improvement measures.

4. Data Security and Privacy Controls

Across policies, procedures, and protocols:

5. Training and Competency Requirements

6. Quality Assurance and Performance Monitoring

Summary Distinction