Idaho House Bill No. 189 Summary

• Creates the Idaho Telehealth Access Act as a new chapter in Idaho Code Title 54, establishing a regulatory framework for telehealth services delivery by licensed health care providers.

• Requires providers without established patient relationships to use two-way audio and visual interaction to establish relationships before providing telehealth services, except in emergencies or for communications between providers.

• Establishes that providers must obtain and document patient clinical history and symptoms before treatment, hold services to Idaho community standard of care, and prohibits treatment based solely on online questionnaires.

• Permits established providers to issue prescription drug orders via telehealth within their license scope, except controlled substances must comply with federal law and no drugs may be prescribed to cause abortion.

• Requires providers to maintain HIPAA and HITECH-compliant medical records, provide follow-up care continuity, obtain informed consent, and authorize state licensing boards to enforce provisions and discipline non-compliant providers.