AR SB146

Repeals existing telemedicine statute (§ 17-80-118) and creates new comprehensive Telemedicine Act (§ 17-80-401 et seq.) establishing definitions, professional relationship requirements, and standards for appropriate telemedicine use.

Requires healthcare professionals using telemedicine to establish a professional relationship with patients, with exceptions for emergency situations and generic health information; defines professional relationship to include prior in-person examination, ongoing personal relationships, consultation/referral arrangements, or on-call coverage.

Prohibits certain methods from establishing professional relationships including internet questionnaires, email, audio-only communication, text messaging, and facsimiles; permits telemedicine for professional relationship establishment only when standard of care does not require in-person encounter.

Requires telemedicine providers to be fully licensed in Arkansas, comply with informed consent and privacy laws, hold same standard of care as in-person services, and specifies that healthcare professionals accept liability for telemedicine care; makes noncompliance a violation of professional practice acts.

Amends insurance coverage requirements to mandate health benefit plans cover telemedicine services on same basis as in-person services effective January 1, 2018; prohibits discriminatory cost-sharing and prior authorization requirements exceeding in-person services; includes Arkansas Medicaid Program and Arkansas Works Program.