July/August 2024 | Page 10

Government Relations
Telehealth ( SB 739 ) In in efforts to improve access to dental services , the General Assembly passed SB 739 , legislation that defines telehealth and requires health insurers and managed care plans to pay for covered services that are rendered through telehealth , so long as standards of care are met . Dental and visions policies are included under the definition of “ health insurance policy .”
SB 739 also requires licensing boards to promulgate regulations for those health care practitioners under their respective jurisdiction . These regulations must ensure that practitioners provide the same standard of care for telehealth and in-person services .
Health care practitioners engaging in telehealth must :
• Disclose their identity and verify licensing status with patients with whom there is no provider-patient relationship .
• Verify the patient ’ s location and identity by requesting at least two patient identifiers , such as name and date of birth .
• Obtain and document consent in accordance with the
Electronic Transactions Act of 1999 and the Act of February 13 , 1970 , regarding consent of certain minors to medical , dental and other health services .
• Perform a clinical evaluation before providing treatment or issuing a prescription .
• Establish a diagnosis and treatment plan consistent with the practitioner ’ s scope of practice .
• Document in the patient ’ s health records .
• Create a summary of the visit that is offered to the patient .
• Have an emergency plan for medical and behavioral health emergencies and referrals .
Governor Shapiro signed SB 739 into law on July 3 . Some of the provisions in SB 739 , now Act 42 , take effect immediately while others become effective in 90 days . The promulgation of regulations falls into the former category , while insurance payment for covered services provided via telehealth is in the latter category .
8 JULY / AUGUST 2024 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL