language that allows for a more reasonable approach but still brings needed awareness to this very real issue .” After amendments were made , AMS was able to be neutral .
The language , as passed , states , “ shall wear upon request a clear face covering , a partially clear face covering , a face shield , or briefly remove the face covering or face shield if no other means of reasonable accommodation are available .”
The Telemedicine Act ( HB 1063 / Act 829 ) Again , AMS ended up being neutral after final amendments were made . The bill amends the Telemedicine Act by extending the Governor ’ s Executive Order from last spring when AMS had requested that a medical record maintained by a physician be available if a telephone was going to be used to establish the physician / patient relationship .
“ The crux of the argument has been how to establish the physician-patient relationship – you have to see the patient ,” reviewed Smith . “ So , the progression has been to allow audio-visual that would give you the same information as an in-person visit . But when COVID-19 arrived , Gov . Hutchinson and governors around the country were stressing that we ’ ve got to use telemedicine as a tool to service people and get people care . As a result , Gov . Hutchinson ’ s executive order allowed that physician-relationship to be established by any means , including the telephone .
“ His original order included language , at the Society ’ s request , that you could use those other methods provided that you had access to the patient ’ s medical record . This bill codifies that order and retains the medical record language . It ’ s broader than we would prefer ; however , we were also able to get language in the bill that requires insurers to pay for covered services that are provided over the telephone as long as that service is substantially the same as what would have been done in an in-person visit . It solidifies what carriers have been doing during COVID , which is providing payment for telephone office visits .”
A third part of the bill had to do with insurance companies not providing incentives for an enrollee to use a commercial telemedicine vendor at the exclusion of their local physician . “ We weren ’ t able to address that satisfactorily ,” said Wroten . “ We ’ ll probably try to come back and address it in a couple of years .”
Physician Assistants ( SB 152 / Act 634 ) AMS was neutral after amendatory language was accepted . The bill adds a physician assistant to the Arkansas State Medical Board , changes prescription authority to mirror APRNs on schedule II , and allows pronouncement of death and other supervision clarifications .
It was clearly a session that included some disappointment , but the staff of the Arkansas Medical Society worked – and will continue to work – tirelessly for the sake of physicians and patients of Arkansas . They need your help next session – and right now . “ Our job is to interact with legislators and try to develop relationships ,” said Smith . “ That was difficult to do during COVID-19 , but we have a chance moving forward to do that . We encourage you to reach out to and get to know your legislators so that you can share your insight and medical expertise regarding crucial issues that will come up .”
For more information on the 2021 session , call Scott Smith at AMS ( 501-224-8967 ). Find the full text of any bill or act at arkleg . state . ar . us .
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For more advertising information , contact Penny Henderson at 501.224.8967 or penny @ arkmed . org
Volume 118 • Number 1 JULY 2021 • 17