The bill amends the New Mexico Telehealth Act to expand the definition of "health care provider" to include all licensed social workers, thereby allowing them to provide telehealth services. The updated legal language specifies that a "health care provider" now encompasses a broader range of professionals, including licensed social workers, certified peer support workers, and any other health care professional who has received a Medicaid provider identification number from the health care authority. This change aims to enhance access to mental health services through telehealth by recognizing the role of social workers in delivering care.

Additionally, the bill makes several modifications to the definitions within the act, including the replacement of "podiatrist" with "podiatric physician" and the removal of "independent" from the description of licensed social workers. These adjustments reflect a more inclusive and updated understanding of the various health care roles within the telehealth framework, ultimately promoting a more comprehensive approach to health care delivery in New Mexico.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 24-25-3