MSDC Outlines Telemedicine and Licensures Changes Needed Post-Public Health Emergency July 2, 2020
Written by MSDC Staff
On Wednesday, MSDC President J. Desiree Pineda, MD, FACP, sent a letter via email to DC Health Director LaQuandra Nesbitt, MD, outlining the areas MSDC recommends be made permanent once the local public health emergency order expires.
The letter (seen here) begins by praising the Director for her leadership during the public health crisis and for making decisions based on sound science. It then emphasizes that even if the public health emergency statute expires, a public health emergency exists especially with rising rates of infection throughout the U.S.
MSDC emphasized three policies that should be made permanent, either by DOH or with the support of DOH:
- Continue to support/allow video telemedicine treatment regardless of point of care and support equitable pay for in-person and telemedicine appointments
- Permit telemedicine appointments across state lines if the provider is located outside of the District
- Support reimbursement for audio-only telemedicine and changing the 2013 law that currently prohibits its use.