Expanding Telehealth in South Carolina

Issue Areas

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Antiquated telehealth laws technically make it illegal for doctors to talk to their patients when the doctor is out of the state.

This is a problem that compounds the critical shortage of care options for South Carolinians with chronic health conditions or disabilities. And for those in rural areas, the crisis is even worse.

Allowing patients greater access to providers via telehealth would help alleviate the shortage, but there is a patchwork of rules prohibiting it.

Behavioral health providers have a clear registration process to provide this care, but most other providers are prohibited from doing so. South Carolina allows limited telehealth follow-up by doctors for patients who move into the state and allows some providers to live out of state. Regulations allow exemptions for students to access telehealth across state lines but deny it to most patients who reside permanently in South Carolina.

THE SOLUTION

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South Carolina can create a simple registration system for all licensed providers to be available as a new option for patients to access care over telehealth.

This is a proven model that has expanded care in a diverse group of states. Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Utah, and Vermont have all been offering their patients this telehealth option for years for all provider types.

WHY IT MATTERS

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Registering doctors would comply with the state’s scope of practice and standards.

Telehealth leads to patient-centered care at home, in the office, or in a medical setting—whichever is best. Providers can see more patients at their convenience and patients get flexibility in where they receive care.

THE BOTTOM LINE:

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Geography should not determine a patient’s health destiny. Interstate telehealth helps patients access more high-quality care options.