COVID-19
News
6/17/2021 Board votes to terminate enforcement discretion with end of state of emergency on July 6
1/21/2021 Gov. Ivey's Amended Safer at Home Order (extending to Mar. 5)
Telemedicine During the State of Emergency
- In order to practice safe social distancing and inhibit the community spread of COVID-19, the Board and Commission encouraged practitioners to utilize telehealth visits whenever it was prudent to do so. When issues arose, Board and Commission rules were interpreted broadly during the health emergency.
- Physicians could not refuse to treat existing patients. If a physician did not have the manpower, equipment, etc., to treat the patient, and treatment via telemedicine was not possible or appropriate, the physician was instructed to assist the patient in finding another provider.
- Many regulatory bodies and third-party payors also relaxed requirements previously in place surrounding telehealth during the state of emergency.