SB272 Summary

• Repeals Sections 34-24-500 through 34-24-508 relating to cross-state medical licensing and establishes new Article 12 (Sections 34-24-700 through 34-24-707) to regulate telemedicine practice in Alabama.

• Physicians providing telehealth medical services must possess a full active license from the Medical Licensure Commission, except for irregular/infrequent services (less than 10 days or 10 patients per calendar year) or services provided in consultation with an Alabama-licensed physician.

• Telehealth physicians owe patients the same duty of care as in-person providers and must establish diagnoses through acceptable medical practices, disclose diagnoses and treatment options, and provide visit summaries; physician-patient relationships may be formed without prior in-person examination.

• Controlled substance prescriptions via telehealth require synchronous audio/visual communication using HIPAA-compliant equipment, at least one prior in-person encounter within 12 months, and an established legitimate medical purpose, except in medical emergencies or inpatient settings.

• Becomes effective 90 days after passage; Board of Medical Examiners and Medical Licensure Commission may adopt rules regulating telehealth and are granted antitrust immunity when acting under this legislation.