Iowa Admin. Code rr. 645-301.1

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 22, May 1, 2024

Rule 645-301.1 - [Effective 5/22/2024] Telehealth visits

A licensee may provide speech pathology or audiology services to a patient utilizing a telehealth visit if the services are provided in accordance with the following:

(1) Telehealth visit" means the provision of speech pathology or audiology services by a licensee to a patient using technology where the licensee and the patient are not at the same physical location during the appointment.

(2) A licensee engaged in a telehealth visit will utilize technology that is secure and HIPAA-compliant (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, PL 104"191, August 21, 1996, 110 Stat 1936), and that includes, at a minimum, audio and video equipment that allows two-way real-time interactive communication between the licensee and the patient. A licensee may use non-real-time technologies to prepare for an appointment or to communicate with a patient between appointments.

(3) A licensee engaged in a telehealth visit shall be held to the same standard of care as a licensee who provides in-person speech pathology or audiology services. A licensee will not utilize a telehealth visit if the standard of care for the particular speech pathology or audiology service cannot be met using technology.

(4) Prior to the first telehealth visit, a licensee will obtain informed consent from the patient specific to the services that will be provided in a telehealth visit. At a minimum, the informed consent will specifically inform the patient of the following:

a. The risks and limitations of the use of technology to provide speech pathology or audiology services;

b. The potential for unauthorized access to protected health information; and

c. The potential for disruption of technology during a telehealth visit.

(5) A licensee will only provide speech pathology or audiology services using a telehealth visit in the areas of competence wherein proficiency in providing the particular service using technology has been gained through education, training, and experience.

(6) A licensee will identify in the clinical record when speech pathology or audiology services are provided utilizing a telehealth visit.

(7) Speech pathology or audiology services in Iowa through telephonic, electronic, or other means constitute the practice of speech pathology or audiology and require Iowa licensure, regardless of the location of the speech/language pathologist or audiologist.

This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code chapters 147 and 154F.

Iowa Admin. Code rr. 645-301.1

Adopted by IAB August 25, 2021/Volume XLIV, Number 4, effective 9/29/2021

Adopted by IAB April 17, 2024/Volume XLVI, Number 21, effective 5/22/2024