Attention Washington State Providers Practicing Telemedicine

November 9, 2020   |   Evidence in Integrative Healthcare

According to a new Washington state law, RCW 43.70.495, beginning January 1, 2021, a healthcare professional who provides clinical services through telemedicine (other than MD and DO’s) shall complete a telemedicine training. The training may be provided by the Telemedicine Collaborative, hospitals and other health care facilities, continuing education courses, or health care professional boards or commissions. Telemedicine by definition in RCW 70.41.020, “…means the delivery of health care services through the use of interactive audio and video technology, permitting real-time communication between the patient at the originating site and the provider, for the purpose of diagnosis, consultation, or treatment. “Telemedicine” does not include the use of audio-only telephone, facsimile, or email.”

The law is available at the following link: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=43.70.495 which provides greater detail on this requirement.