New Hampshire Senate Bill SB390

New Hampshire 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 12/23/21
• Refer: 12/23/21
• Report Pass: 3/9/22
• Engrossed: 3/23/22
• Refer: 3/23/22
• Report Pass: 4/22/22
• Enrolled: 6/7/22

Caption

Relative to telemedicine and telehealth.

Impact

The bill is significant as it shifts the legislative landscape concerning how telemedicine and telehealth services are perceived and regulated. By clearly defining telehealth and telemedicine interactions, the legislation aims to enhance access to healthcare services, especially for individuals who may not be able to meet healthcare providers in person. This change is particularly meaningful in rural or underserved areas where access to medical facilities can be limited. Additionally, the bill allows healthcare practitioners to utilize telemedicine without constraining their ability to make decisions regarding diagnoses and treatment, thus promoting flexibility in patient care.

Summary

SB390 is an act that focuses on the definitions and guidelines surrounding telemedicine and telehealth in New Hampshire. The bill revises the current definitions of telemedicine and telehealth to ensure clarity in the context of the practitioner-patient relationship. It introduces terms such as 'synchronous interaction' and 'asynchronous interaction' to delineate between real-time communication and non-real-time exchanges. This clarification aims to enhance the legal framework governing telehealth services, making it more accommodating for healthcare providers and patients alike.

Contention

While the bill aims to improve healthcare delivery through telemedicine, it may also lead to discussions around the ethical implications of remote consultations. Critics might raise concerns over the adequacy of patient evaluations conducted via telehealth methods, questioning whether all necessary medical assessments can be accurately performed without in-person interaction. Additionally, the definitions and guidelines set forth may require ongoing adaptations as technology evolves, prompting a discussion on the need for future amendments to address emerging practices in telehealth.