FINAL BILL REPORT
SSB 5423
C 247 L 21
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Concerning telemedicine consultations.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Health & Long Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Rivers, Cleveland and Holy).
Senate Committee on Health & Long Term Care
House Committee on Health Care & Wellness
Background:

Under Washington law, a practitioner who undertakes to diagnose, cure, advise, or prescribe for a person located in Washington must be licensed to practice medicine in Washington, unless the practitioner falls under a statutory exemption.  Washington State statutory exemptions allows practitioners licensed by another state to practice medicine in Washington State as long as the practitioner does not open an office or appoint a place for meeting patients or receiving calls in Washington State.  The Washington Medical Commission interprets this exemption as allowing the use of telemedicine technology to facilitate continuity of care to established patients who cross state borders, and to permit peer-to-peer consultations. 

Summary:

A licensed out-of-state practitioner, including osteopathic physicians, may consult through telemedicine, or by other means, with a practitioner licensed in Washington State regarding the diagnosis or treatment of a patient within Washington State.  A licensed out-of-state practitioner may practice allopathic or osteopathic medicine in-person in Washington State if the practitioner does not open an office or appoint a place for meeting patients or receiving calls within the state.

Votes on Final Passage:
Senate 49 0
House 98 0 (House amended)
Senate 48 0 (Senate concurred)
Effective:

July 25, 2021