A. 1. With available state or federal funds, the State Department of Health shall be the state entity responsible for telemedicine and development of a statewide Oklahoma telemedicine network. The Department shall also be responsible for the continued development and implementation of a statewide system for the delivery of medical and other health care services through a telehealth system.

2. In order to achieve these duties, the State Board of Health shall establish a separate office within the State Department of Health which shall be known as the Oklahoma Center for Telemedicine. The State Commissioner of Health shall appoint or employ a director of the office who shall report to the Commissioner and the Board. The Commissioner shall also employ such other personnel as necessary to carry out the duties of the Center. The director and other Center personnel shall have no other duties within the Department except those directly related to the duties and responsibilities of the Center.

3. The Center shall have the power and duty to:

a.assess the current status and needs of the telemedicine network and telehealth in the state,

b.utilize available state and federal funds to the maximum extent possible,

c.for the purposes of the continued development of telehealth services in the state, engage with any and all parties to encourage and assist communications between entities requiring telemedicine services and entities offering or providing telemedicine services,

d.resolve problems and otherwise improve the delivery of telemedicine services,

e.assist and facilitate the coordination efforts of hospitals and other health care facilities and providers in the development and delivery of telemedicine services,

f.explore ways to provide reimbursement to providers for telehealth services,

g.explore the feasibility of providing health education services through a telehealth system,

h.study issues of compatibility of technology, and

i.establish and maintain a website and a clearinghouse for grant information as provided by Section 1-2703 of this title.

B. The Department shall enter into agreements with appropriate entities to provide the Center with assistance in carrying out the provisions of this section.

C. The director of the Center may form advisory groups as is necessary to work with the Center on telehealth issues.

D. The State Board of Health shall promulgate rules for the implementation of the teleradiology responsibilities outlined in this section. The rules shall be based on the American College of Radiology Standards for Teleradiology.

Added by Laws 1998, c. 389, § 2, eff. July 1, 1998. Amended by Laws 2000, c. 31, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2000; Laws 2001, c. 317, § 4, eff. Nov. 1, 2001; Laws 2004, c. 92, § 7, eff. July 1, 2004.

NOTE: Laws 2004, c. 22, § 2 repealed by Laws 2005, c. 1, § 97, emerg. eff. March 15, 2005.