North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, D, signed a law requiring the state Department of Health and Human Services to recommend a telemedicine standards policy to the North Carolina General Assembly by Oct. 1, according to the Winston-Salem Journal.
House Bill 283, sponsored by Rep. Donny Lambeth, R-Forsyth, requires the agency to examine telemedicine laws in other states, specifically those addressing the scope of services covered, privacy and security measures, informed consent, online prescribing, provider licensing guidelines and payer reimbursement models.
"There is a high level of interest in telemedicine to help meet the needs in rural North Carolina, particularly as our population ages," Mr. Lambeth told the Winston-Salem Journal. "I believe the study will help bring back a plan and address some of the concerns I heard from the legislators that will make it easier for an ultimate passage."
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