SPONSOR: Knight
Currently, the establishment of a physician-patient relationship for purposes of telehealth includes an interview and a physical examination. Under this bill, an evaluation is still required, but a physical examination is required only if needed to meet the standard of care. Current law prohibits the use of an internet or telephone questionnaire completed by a patient from constituting an acceptable medical interview for the provision of treatment by telehealth. This bill permits such questionnaires if the information provided is sufficient as though the medical evaluation was performed in person. Additionally, current law requires a physician-patient relationship for purposes of telehealth to include a sufficient dialogue with the patient regarding treatment. This bill changes "dialogue" to "exchange" with the patient regarding treatment. Finally, current law prohibits a health care provider from prescribing any drug, controlled substance, or other treatment to a patient based solely on an internet request or questionnaire. Under this bill, a health care provider shall not prescribe any drug, controlled substance, or other treatment to a patient in the absence of a proper provider-patient relationship. This bill is the same as SB 108 (2025) and is substantially similar to SB 851 (2024) and SCS SB 418 and HB 710 (2023).
Statutes affected: