03/18/2020

Licensed Health Care Practitioners Can Provide Telemedicine Services to Pennsylvanians During Coronavirus Emergency

Harrisburg, PA — Health care professionals licensed under any of the Department of State’s Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs (BPOA) licensing boards can provide services to patients via telemedicine during the coronavirus emergency.

“Telemedicine provides health care professionals flexibility to continue treating their patients while following best practices on social distancing as outlined by the Department of Health,” Secretary Boockvar said. “The department requested, and Governor Wolf granted us, the authority to allow health care professionals from out-of-state to treat Pennsylvania residents using telemedicine, when appropriate, due to COVID-19.”

This new guidance applies to the following boards:

• Chiropractic
• Dentistry
• Medicine
• Nursing
• Optometry
• Pharmacy
• Podiatry
• Psychology
• Osteopathic Medicine
• Nursing Home Administrators
• Occupational Therapy Education and Licensure
• Physical Therapy
• Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors
• Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
• Veterinary Medicine

Currently, no Pennsylvania law prohibits the practice of telemedicine.

Additionally, the department is working with the governor’s office, the Department of Health and Department of Human Services to identify regulations and requirements that can be suspended to give medical providers and facilities the flexibility they need to respond to the crisis. We will publish these notifications on our website as they become available.

Governor Wolf also granted the department’s request for a suspension to allow licensed practitioners in other states to provide services to Pennsylvanians via the use of telemedicine, without obtaining a Pennsylvania license, for the duration of the emergency. Out-of-state practitioners must:

• be licensed and in good standing in their home state, territory or country.
• provide the Pennsylvania board from whom they would normally seek licensure with the following information prior to practicing telemedicine with Pennsylvanians:
  • their full name, home or work mailing address, telephone number and email address; and
  • their license type, license number or other identifying information that is unique to that practitioner’s license, and the state or other governmental body that issued the license.

Please submit the information requested above to the appropriate board resource account listed on the BPOA website.

All practitioners using telemedicine in Pennsylvania must remain informed on all federal and state laws, regulations and guidance regarding telemedicine, including a practitioner’s obligations under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and recent guidance provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesOpens In A New Window.

Authorization to engage in telemedicine from a professional licensing standpoint is separate and apart from any insurance coverage/payment issues that fall under the Department of Health, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Insurance, or any other state or federal agency.

The Department of Human Services issued guidance for Behavioral Health Services Telemedicine here. The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs released Telehealth guidance for their programs and providers here

Our top priority is and will continue to be the health and well-being of the citizens of Pennsylvania and the many dedicated members of the Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants. We are committed to safety first, so out of concern for our members and the patients they meet and treat daily throughout the Commonwealth, the Board of Directors has decided to suspend all in-person events for a period of at least 30 days from March 14, 2020.

Examples of in-person events may include: regional dinner meetings, committee meetings, liaison meetings, director meetings, etc.

Please… vigilance is of vital importance. Educate all those you meet.  Here are some facts regarding COVID-19.

• Coronavirus is a group of diverse, common viruses that includes some causes of the common cold. The new strain that originated in China is called SARS CoV 2 and causes COVID-19.
• COVID-19 can present with symptoms between two and 14 days following exposure.
• Symptoms can be similar to a cold or flu with fever, cough and shortness of breath.
• Human coronaviruses spread the same way the flu or a cold does:
  • Droplets traveling through the air by coughing or sneezing
  • Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
  • Touching an object or surface with the virus on it
• Precautionary measures for COVID-19 are similar to those of other viruses like the flu. The best way to stay healthy is through diligent respiratory hygiene:
  • Frequent handwashingis highly recommended, especially after coughing or visiting public areas.
  • Alcohol-based sanitizers and wipesare also good options for hand hygiene, as long as they have at least 60% alcohol.
  • Covering your mouth when coughingis an important way to stop the spread of viruses like COVID-19 and others that are spread through droplets.
  • Clean and disinfectfrequently touched objects with disinfectant household wipes or sprays.
• If you are feeling sick or showing signs of an illness, we recommend acting with an abundance of caution and staying home and calling your provider for additional instructions. They can recommend proper treatment and, if necessary, alert public health officials.

Thank you to our fellow PAs and other healthcare providers who are on the frontlines and working tirelessly for our patients.  Your hard work and sacrifices do not go unnoticed or unappreciated.  We must all continue to support each other, however possible during this unprecedented time.  The PSPA leaders will continue to monitor the COVID-19 events and update you when appropriate.  We appreciate your flexibility as we all seek the best course of action in these extraordinary times.