Amends TCA Title 56 and Title 63.

Present law generally requires a healthcare provider to be licensed in this state, or be a graduate or student of a professional training program that meets certain requirements, in order to provide telehealth and telemedicine services. However, present law also provides the following:<br /> <br /> (1) A physician must be licensed to practice medicine in order to practice telemedicine pursuant to certain conditional, restricted, or special licenses issued by the board of medical examiners, except as otherwise authorized by law or rule; and<br /> <br /> (2) An individual licensed in another state who would, if licensed in this state, qualify as a healthcare provider may practice telehealth while providing healthcare services on a volunteer basis through a free clinic.<br /> <br /> This bill adds an additional exception, such that an individual licensed in another state who would, if licensed in this state, qualify as a healthcare provider may practice telehealth while providing healthcare services to a patient who cannot otherwise receive within this state the services the provider will provide as long as the provider has filed a limited waiver request with the appropriate licensing authority that certifies that the patient needs such services and, to the best knowledge of the provider, other providers of the services are unavailable in this state.<br />