NC S779

Establishes the North Carolina Telemedicine Practice Act allowing any licensed health care provider in North Carolina to deliver telemedicine services to patients within the state consistent with their licensed scope of practice.

Requires informed written or verbal consent from patients before telemedicine services are provided, with specific requirements including disclosure of patient rights, potential benefits and risks, technology failure contingencies, and patient comfort with the technology.

Mandates that telemedicine providers comply with federal and state laws for protecting health information, conduct risk analyses, and implement security safeguards for protected health information before engaging in telemedicine practice.

Establishes standard of care requirements for telemedicine providers including staff training, adequate technology, complete medical records maintenance, and prohibits prescription of controlled substances for pain without an in-person physical examination within the prior 12 months.

Directs the Department of Health and Human Services to study and report recommendations by September 1, 2019 on telemedicine reimbursement standards, broadband connectivity, quality performance metrics, and state licensing and credentialing standards for telemedicine providers.