Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 246-853 WAC, osteopathic physicians and surgeons, the board of osteopathic medicine and surgery (board) is considering creating new rule sections to regulate the use of telemedicine.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The board will consider rule making to address the practice of osteopathic physicians and surgeons engaging in telemedicine with Washington state patients. Possible subjects the board may address are: Licensure requirements; record keeping requirements; establishing a patient-practitioner relationship; prescribing issues; and standard of care. Regulating the use of telemedicine ensures the board continues to take an active patient safety role as technology evolves.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Tracie Drake, Program Manager, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone 360-236-4766, fax 360-236-2901, TTY 711, email tracie.drake@doh.wa.gov, website www.doh.wa.gov.

Additional comments: To join the interested parties email list, please visit https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOH/subscriber/new?topic_id=WADOH_153.