§1223.3. Definitions

(1) "Asynchronous store and forward transfer" means the transmission of a patient's medical information from an originating site to the provider at the distant site without the patient being present.

(2) "Distant site" means the site at which the healthcare provider delivering the service is located at the time the service is provided via a telecommunications system.

(3) "Healthcare provider" means a person, partnership, limited liability partnership, limited liability company, corporation, facility, or institution licensed or certified by this state to provide healthcare or professional services as a physician assistant, hospital, nursing home, dentist, registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, licensed dietitian or nutritionist, licensed practical nurse, certified nurse assistant, offshore health service provider, ambulance service, licensed midwife, pharmacist, speech-language pathologist, audiologist, optometrist, podiatrist, chiropractor, physical therapist, occupational therapist, certified or licensed athletic trainer, psychologist, medical psychologist, social worker, licensed professional counselor, licensed perfusionist, licensed respiratory therapist, licensed radiologic technologist, or licensed clinical laboratory scientist.

(4) "Originating site" means the location of the patient at the time the service is furnished via a telecommunications system or when the asynchronous store and forward transfer occurs.

(5) "Synchronous interaction" means communication through interactive technology that enables a healthcare provider and a patient at two locations separated by distance to interact via two-way video and audio transmissions simultaneously. The healthcare provider may utilize interactive audio without the requirement of video if, after access and review of the patient's medical records, the provider determines that he is able to meet the same standard of care as if the healthcare services were provided in person.

(6) "Telehealth" means a mode of delivering healthcare services that utilizes information and communication technologies to enable the diagnosis, consultation, treatment, education, care management, and self-management of patients at a distance from healthcare providers. Telehealth allows services to be accessed when providers are in a distant site and patients are in the originating site. Telehealth facilitates patient self-management and caregiver support for patients and includes synchronous interactions and asynchronous store and forward transfers.

Acts 2014, No. 442, §2; Redesignated from R.S. 40:1300.403 by HCR 84 of 2015 R.S.; Acts 2016, No. 417, §1; Acts 2016, No. 630, §2, eff. June 17, 2016.