Texas Relaxes Telemedicine Regulations
Texans use their computers and mobile phones to shop and bank; now they can also call upon the doctor the same way. In the past, it was only legal to consult with a doctor via a computer in the presence of another healthcare provider if the patient and provider had never met in person before. This new bill removes those restrictions. Patients can see different doctors from home, on the road, or at the office.
How Will the New Bill Change Texas Telemedicine?
According to The Dallas News, every other U.S. state has already made this type of virtual office visit legal. Critics of removing restrictions on telemedicine in Texas say that tighter rules help protect patients. Proponents argue that telemedicine offers patients a safe, convenient, and cost-effective way to get treatment for many routine illnesses and injuries.
If the doctor believes the video interview provided enough information, he or she can even call in for a prescription. Doctors will charge for an office visit, and these visits may be covered by health insurance.
Relaxed Telemedicine Rules Can Keep Texans Healthier
Employers may find that offering this benefit helps reduce sick days because it gives everybody in the family a convenient way to access medical treatments. It might be particularly helpful in rural areas where doctors are scarce, but it can also offer convenience for Texans who live in congested cities with long commutes between doctors and home or work. Of course, people who are sick or injured may prefer to simply video chat than to travel to an office. In these ways, the relaxed rules should encourage more communication with doctors and not less.
