Texas Medical Board Gets with the Program on Telemedicine

The Texas Medical Board has laid down new rules governing how telemedicine providers can treat patients in the state. Gone are stipulations that a provider must see a patient face-to-face before being able to treat them remotely. The Board’s decision on that point is in concert with a new state law passed in May. The medical board’s decision could pave the way for around 28 million Texans to gain access to virtual care, including 3 million who live in rural areas and who have been most affected by lack of access to care. Providers do have to be licensed to practice medicine in Texas in order to provide telehealth services.