HB 473 Summary

• Amends Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 453-1.3 to allow physician-patient relationships to be established via telehealth interactions, provided the physician holds a valid Hawaii medical license.

• Removes the previous restriction that prohibited physicians from using telehealth to establish initial patient relationships without an in-person consultation or referral from another healthcare provider.

• Permits patients and Hawaii-licensed physicians to use telehealth for any allowable purpose under law once a physician-patient relationship is established, including consultations with providers licensed in other states.

• Takes effect on July 1, 2050.