| State | Bill # | Status | Summary |
| Arkansas | HB 1076 | 3/27/15: Transmitted to Governor. | This bill would prohibit the use of telemedicine to administer the abortion pill. Similar to SB 53. |
| Arkansas | HB 1747 | 3/20/15: Failed to pass house. | This bill would provide for a definition of telemedicine, and professional practice standards for providers delivering services through telemedicine. It would allow a professional relationship between a licensed health care professional and patient to be established through interactive audio or video technology, among other things. An “emergency clause” is connected to this bill. |
| Arkansas | SB 133 | 3/26/15: Delivered to Governor. | This bill would authorize reimbursement and regulation of services provided through telemedicine, among other things. |
| Arkansas | SB 845 | 3/17/15: Re-referred to Senate Committee on Public Health, Welfare and Labor. | This bill would provide for a definition of telemedicine, and professional practice standards for providers delivering services through telemedicine. It would allow a professional relationship between a licensed health care professional and patient to be established through interactive audio or video technology, among other things. An “emergency clause” is connected to this bill. |
| Arkansas | SB 846 | 3/9/15: Referred to Senate Committee on Public Health, Welfare and Labor. | The purpose of this act is to encourage telemedicine. No other details are currently available. |
| Tennessee | HB 660 | 2/19/15: Assigned to s/c Insurance and Banking Subcommittee. | Amends Tennessee Code relative to telemedicine, clarifying that for a health insurance entity to be required to provide coverage for a telehealth encounter, it must involve a licensed health care provider. Similar to SB 725. |
| Tennessee | HB 699 | 3/25/15: Recommended for passage if amended. Referred to Calendar and Rules Committee. | This bill clarifies certain standards related to a telehealth encounter, including consent, a provider-patient relations, licensing, and the definition of telehealth. |
| Tennessee | HB 976 | 3/24/15: Failed in s/c Health Subcommittee. | This bill defines teledentistry and allows initial and subsequent examinations by dentists to be accomplished by means of teledentistry. |
| Tennessee | SB 1214 | 3/27/15: Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Health and Welfare Committee. | This bill defines teledentistry and allows initial and subsequent examinations by dentists to be accomplished by means of teledentistry. |
| Tennessee | SB 1223 | 3/27/15: Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/1/15 | This bill relates to Physicians and Surgeons; establishes requirements and protections for healthcare providers that practice telehealth. |
| Tennessee | SB 725 | 3/4/15: Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Commerce and Labor Committee | Amends Tennessee Code relative to telemedicine, clarifying that for a health insurance entity to be required to provide coverage for a telehealth encounter, it must involve a licensed health care provider. Similar to HB 660. |
About SCTRC
Since 2010, the South Central Telehealth Resource Center (SCTRC) has been providing telehealth training and technical assistance. We offer a wide variety of services and resources to help develop, maintain, and expand telehealth services. While we strive to help anyone reaching out to us for assistance, we prioritize the needs of those who work with rural and other underserved communities and populations in our region — Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee. The SCTRC offers in-person and virtual assistance including on-site demos at our regional telehealth training centers, and popular online resources here such as billing and reimbursement guides, beginner courses, a variety of webinars and recordings, podcasts, and more. The SCTRC team is eager to hear more about your efforts and to brainstorm how we could work together to expand telehealth adoption.
