{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/32.1-122.03_1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/32.1-122.03_1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/32.1-122.03_1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/32.1-122.03_1.html"}],"law_id":76872,"edition_id":1,"section_id":76872,"structure_id":15045,"section_number":"32.1-122.03:1","catch_line":"Statewide Telehealth Plan","history":"2020, c. 729; 2022, cc. 724, 742.","full_text":"A\n\nAs used in this section:\n\t\t\t&#8220;Remote patient monitoring services&#8221; has the same meaning as in &#xA7; 38.2-3418.16.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Telehealth services&#8221; means the use of telecommunications and information technology to provide access to health assessments, diagnosis, intervention, consultation, supervision, and information across distance. &#8220;Telehealth services&#8221; includes the use of such technologies as telephones, facsimile machines, electronic mail systems, store-and-forward technologies, and remote patient monitoring devices that are used to collect and transmit patient data for monitoring and interpretation. Nothing in this definition shall be construed or interpreted to amend the appropriate establishment of a bona fide practitioner-patient relationship, as defined in &#xA7; 54.1-3303.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Telemedicine services&#8221; has the same meaning as in &#xA7; 38.2-3418.16.B\n\nThe Board shall amend and maintain, in consultation with the Virginia Telehealth Network, as a component of the State Health Plan a Statewide Telehealth Plan to promote an integrated approach to the introduction and use of telehealth services and telemedicine services. The Board shall contract with the Virginia Telehealth Network, or another Virginia-based nongovernmental, nonprofit organization focused on telehealth if the Virginia Telehealth Network is no longer in existence, to (i) provide direct consultation to any advisory groups and groups tasked by the Board with implementation and data collection as required by this section, (ii) track implementation of the Statewide Telehealth Plan, and (iii) facilitate changes to the Statewide Telehealth Plan as accepted medical practices and technologies evolve.C\n\nThe Statewide Telehealth Plan shall include but not be limited to provisions for:1\n\nThe promotion of the inclusion of telehealth services and telemedicine services in the operating procedures of hospitals, primary care facilities, public primary and secondary schools, state-funded post-secondary schools, emergency medical services agencies, and such other state agencies and practices deemed necessary by the Board;2\n\nThe promotion of the use of remote patient monitoring services and store-and-forward technologies, including in cases involving patients with chronic illness;3\n\nA uniform and integrated set of proposed criteria for the use of telehealth technologies for prehospital and interhospital triage and transportation of patients initiating or in need of emergency medical services developed by the Board in consultation with the Department of Health Professions, the Virginia College of Emergency Physicians, the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association, the Virginia Chapter of the American College of Surgeons, the American Stroke Association, the American Telemedicine Association, and prehospital care providers. The Board may revise such criteria from time to time to incorporate accepted changes in medical practice and appropriate use of new and effective innovations in telehealth or telemedicine technologies, or to respond to needs indicated by analysis of data on patient outcomes. Such criteria shall be used as a guide and resource for health care providers and are not intended to establish, in and of themselves, standards of care or to abrogate the requirements of &#xA7; 8.01-581.20. A decision by a health care provider to deviate from the criteria shall not constitute negligence per se;4\n\nA strategy for integration of the Statewide Telehealth Plan with the State Health Plan, the Statewide Emergency Medical Services Plan, the Statewide Trauma Triage Plan, and the Stroke Triage Plan to support the purposes of each plan;5\n\nA strategy for the maintenance of the Statewide Telehealth Plan through (i) the development of an innovative payment model for emergency medical services that covers the transportation of a patient to a destination providing services of appropriate patient acuity and facilitates in-place treatment of a patient at the scene of an emergency response or via telehealth services and telemedicine services, where appropriate; (ii) the development of collaborative and uniform operating procedures for establishing and recording informed patient consent for the use of telehealth services and telemedicine services that are easily accessible by those medical professionals engaging in telehealth services and telemedicine services; and (iii) appropriate liability protection for providers involved in such telehealth and telemedicine consultation and treatment; and6\n\nA strategy for the collection of data regarding the use of telehealth services and telemedicine services in the delivery of inpatient and outpatient services, treatment of chronic illnesses, remote patient monitoring, and emergency medical services to determine the effect of use of telehealth services and telemedicine services on the medical service system in the Commonwealth, including (i) the potential for reducing unnecessary inpatient hospital stays, particularly among patients with chronic illnesses or conditions; (ii) the impact of the use of telehealth services and telemedicine services on patient morbidity, mortality, and quality of life; (iii) the potential for reducing unnecessary prehospital and interhospital transfers; and (iv) the impact on annual expenditures for health care services for all payers, including expenditures by third-party payers and out-of-pocket expenditures by patients.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":275943,"text":"As used in this section:\n\t\t\t&#8220;Remote patient monitoring services&#8221; has the same meaning as in &#xA7; 38.2-3418.16.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Telehealth services&#8221; means the use of telecommunications and information technology to provide access to health assessments, diagnosis, intervention, consultation, supervision, and information across distance. &#8220;Telehealth services&#8221; includes the use of such technologies as telephones, facsimile machines, electronic mail systems, store-and-forward technologies, and remote patient monitoring devices that are used to collect and transmit patient data for monitoring and interpretation. Nothing in this definition shall be construed or interpreted to amend the appropriate establishment of a bona fide practitioner-patient relationship, as defined in &#xA7; 54.1-3303.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Telemedicine services&#8221; has the same meaning as in &#xA7; 38.2-3418.16.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":275944,"text":"The Board shall amend and maintain, in consultation with the Virginia Telehealth Network, as a component of the State Health Plan a Statewide Telehealth Plan to promote an integrated approach to the introduction and use of telehealth services and telemedicine services. The Board shall contract with the Virginia Telehealth Network, or another Virginia-based nongovernmental, nonprofit organization focused on telehealth if the Virginia Telehealth Network is no longer in existence, to (i) provide direct consultation to any advisory groups and groups tasked by the Board with implementation and data collection as required by this section, (ii) track implementation of the Statewide Telehealth Plan, and (iii) facilitate changes to the Statewide Telehealth Plan as accepted medical practices and technologies evolve.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":275945,"text":"The Statewide Telehealth Plan shall include but not be limited to provisions for:","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"C1"},"3":{"id":275946,"text":"The promotion of the inclusion of telehealth services and telemedicine services in the operating procedures of hospitals, primary care facilities, public primary and secondary schools, state-funded post-secondary schools, emergency medical services agencies, and such other state agencies and practices deemed necessary by the Board;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"C1","prefix_anchor":"C1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"C2"},"4":{"id":275947,"text":"The promotion of the use of remote patient monitoring services and store-and-forward technologies, including in cases involving patients with chronic illness;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"C2","prefix_anchor":"C2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C1","next_prefix":"C3"},"5":{"id":275948,"text":"A uniform and integrated set of proposed criteria for the use of telehealth technologies for prehospital and interhospital triage and transportation of patients initiating or in need of emergency medical services developed by the Board in consultation with the Department of Health Professions, the Virginia College of Emergency Physicians, the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association, the Virginia Chapter of the American College of Surgeons, the American Stroke Association, the American Telemedicine Association, and prehospital care providers. The Board may revise such criteria from time to time to incorporate accepted changes in medical practice and appropriate use of new and effective innovations in telehealth or telemedicine technologies, or to respond to needs indicated by analysis of data on patient outcomes. Such criteria shall be used as a guide and resource for health care providers and are not intended to establish, in and of themselves, standards of care or to abrogate the requirements of &#xA7; 8.01-581.20. A decision by a health care provider to deviate from the criteria shall not constitute negligence per se;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"C3","prefix_anchor":"C3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C2","next_prefix":"C4"},"6":{"id":275949,"text":"A strategy for integration of the Statewide Telehealth Plan with the State Health Plan, the Statewide Emergency Medical Services Plan, the Statewide Trauma Triage Plan, and the Stroke Triage Plan to support the purposes of each plan;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"C4","prefix_anchor":"C4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C3","next_prefix":"C5"},"7":{"id":275950,"text":"A strategy for the maintenance of the Statewide Telehealth Plan through (i) the development of an innovative payment model for emergency medical services that covers the transportation of a patient to a destination providing services of appropriate patient acuity and facilitates in-place treatment of a patient at the scene of an emergency response or via telehealth services and telemedicine services, where appropriate; (ii) the development of collaborative and uniform operating procedures for establishing and recording informed patient consent for the use of telehealth services and telemedicine services that are easily accessible by those medical professionals engaging in telehealth services and telemedicine services; and (iii) appropriate liability protection for providers involved in such telehealth and telemedicine consultation and treatment; and","type":"section","prefixes":["C","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"C5","prefix_anchor":"C5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C4","next_prefix":"C6"},"8":{"id":275951,"text":"A strategy for the collection of data regarding the use of telehealth services and telemedicine services in the delivery of inpatient and outpatient services, treatment of chronic illnesses, remote patient monitoring, and emergency medical services to determine the effect of use of telehealth services and telemedicine services on the medical service system in the Commonwealth, including (i) the potential for reducing unnecessary inpatient hospital stays, particularly among patients with chronic illnesses or conditions; (ii) the impact of the use of telehealth services and telemedicine services on patient morbidity, mortality, and quality of life; (iii) the potential for reducing unnecessary prehospital and interhospital transfers; and (iv) the impact on annual expenditures for health care services for all payers, including expenditures by third-party payers and out-of-pocket expenditures by patients.","type":"section","prefixes":["C","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"C6","prefix_anchor":"C6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C5"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15045,"edition_id":1,"name":"Health Planning and Resources Development","identifier":"4.1","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13670,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:51:44","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:51:44","permalink":{"id":202707,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15045,"identifier":"4.1","token":"32.1\/4\/4.1","url":"\/32.1\/4\/4.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13670,"edition_id":1,"name":"Health Care Planning","identifier":"4","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12727,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:31","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:31","permalink":{"id":202389,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13670,"identifier":"4","token":"32.1\/4","url":"\/32.1\/4\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12727,"edition_id":1,"name":"Health","identifier":"32.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","permalink":{"id":201099,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12727,"identifier":"32.1","token":"32.1","url":"\/32.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":78217,"structure_id":15045,"section_number":"32.1-122.01","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/32.1-122.01\/","token":"32.1\/4\/4.1\/32.1-122.01","metadata":false},{"id":57359,"structure_id":15045,"section_number":"32.1-122.02","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/32.1-122.02\/","token":"32.1\/4\/4.1\/32.1-122.02","metadata":false},{"id":62918,"structure_id":15045,"section_number":"32.1-122.03","catch_line":"State Health Plan","url":"\/32.1-122.03\/","token":"32.1\/4\/4.1\/32.1-122.03","metadata":false},{"id":76872,"structure_id":15045,"section_number":"32.1-122.03:1","catch_line":"Statewide Telehealth Plan","url":"\/32.1-122.03_1\/","token":"32.1\/4\/4.1\/32.1-122.03_1","metadata":false},{"id":76966,"structure_id":15045,"section_number":"32.1-122.04","catch_line":"Responsibilities of the Department","url":"\/32.1-122.04\/","token":"32.1\/4\/4.1\/32.1-122.04","metadata":false},{"id":62584,"structure_id":15045,"section_number":"32.1-122.05","catch_line":"Regional health planning agencies; boards; duties and responsibilities","url":"\/32.1-122.05\/","token":"32.1\/4\/4.1\/32.1-122.05","metadata":false},{"id":62988,"structure_id":15045,"section_number":"32.1-122.06","catch_line":"Funds for regional health planning","url":"\/32.1-122.06\/","token":"32.1\/4\/4.1\/32.1-122.06","metadata":false},{"id":84079,"structure_id":15045,"section_number":"32.1-122.07","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2028) Authority of Commissioner for certain health planning activities; rural health plan; designation as a rural hospital","url":"\/32.1-122.07\/","token":"32.1\/4\/4.1\/32.1-122.07","metadata":false},{"id":81811,"structure_id":15045,"section_number":"32.1-122.08","catch_line":"Continuation of regulations","url":"\/32.1-122.08\/","token":"32.1\/4\/4.1\/32.1-122.08","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":62918,"structure_id":15045,"section_number":"32.1-122.03","catch_line":"State Health Plan","url":"\/32.1-122.03\/","token":"32.1\/4\/4.1\/32.1-122.03","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":76966,"structure_id":15045,"section_number":"32.1-122.04","catch_line":"Responsibilities of the Department","url":"\/32.1-122.04\/","token":"32.1\/4\/4.1\/32.1-122.04","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/32.1-122.03:1\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 2020. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?201+ful+CHAP0729\">729<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 1 time. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. That modification is as follows: in 2022, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?221+ful+CHAP0724\">724<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?221+ful+CHAP0742\">742<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":57134,"section_number":"19.2-11.5","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-11.5\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":61286,"section_number":"38.2-3418.16","catch_line":"Coverage for telemedicine services","order_by":null,"url":"\/38.2-3418.16\/"},{"id":85347,"section_number":"54.1-3303","catch_line":"Prescriptions to be issued and drugs to be dispensed for medical or therapeutic purposes only","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-3303\/"},{"id":75087,"section_number":"8.01-581.20","catch_line":"Standard of care in proceeding before medical malpractice review panel; expert testimony; determination of standard in action for damages","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-581.20\/"}],"permalink":{"id":202721,"object_type":"law","relational_id":76872,"identifier":"32.1-122.03:1","token":"32.1\/4\/4.1\/32.1-122.03_1","url":"\/32.1-122.03_1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/32.1-122.03_1\/","token":"32.1\/4\/4.1\/32.1-122.03_1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Statewide Telehealth Plan","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 32.1-122.03:1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> As used in this section:\n\t\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Remote patient monitoring services<\/span>&#8221; has the same meaning as in &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Coverage for telemedicine services\" href=\"\/38.2-3418.16\/\">38.2-3418.16<\/a>.\n\t\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Telehealth services<\/span>&#8221; means the use of telecommunications and information technology to provide access to health assessments, diagnosis, intervention, consultation, supervision, and information across distance. &#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Telehealth services<\/span>&#8221; includes the use of such technologies as telephones, facsimile machines, electronic mail systems, store-and-forward technologies, and remote patient monitoring devices that are used to collect and transmit patient data for monitoring and interpretation. Nothing in this definition shall be construed or interpreted to <span class=\"dictionary\">amend<\/span> the appropriate establishment of a bona fide practitioner-patient relationship, as defined in &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Prescriptions to be issued and drugs to be dispensed for medical or therapeutic purposes only\" href=\"\/54.1-3303\/\">54.1-3303<\/a>.\n\t\t\t&#8220;<span class=\"dictionary\">Telemedicine services<\/span>&#8221; has the same meaning as in &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Coverage for telemedicine services\" href=\"\/38.2-3418.16\/\">38.2-3418.16<\/a>. <a id=\"paragraph-275943\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/32.1-122.03_1\/#A\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">B.<\/span> The <span class=\"dictionary\">Board<\/span> shall <span class=\"dictionary\">amend<\/span> and maintain, in consultation with the Virginia Telehealth Network, as a component of the <span class=\"dictionary\">State Health Plan<\/span> a Statewide Telehealth Plan to promote an integrated approach to the introduction and use of <span class=\"dictionary\">telehealth services<\/span> and <span class=\"dictionary\">telemedicine services<\/span>. The <span class=\"dictionary\">Board<\/span> shall <span class=\"dictionary\">contract<\/span> with the Virginia Telehealth Network, or another Virginia-based nongovernmental, nonprofit organization focused on telehealth if the Virginia Telehealth Network is no longer in existence, to (i) provide direct consultation to any advisory groups and groups tasked by the <span class=\"dictionary\">Board<\/span> with implementation and data collection as required by this section, (ii) track implementation of the Statewide Telehealth Plan, and (iii) facilitate changes to the Statewide Telehealth Plan as accepted medical practices and technologies evolve. <a id=\"paragraph-275944\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/32.1-122.03_1\/#B\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">C.<\/span> The Statewide Telehealth Plan shall include but not be limited to provisions for: <a id=\"paragraph-275945\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/32.1-122.03_1\/#C\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C1\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">1.<\/span> The promotion of the inclusion of <span class=\"dictionary\">telehealth services<\/span> and <span class=\"dictionary\">telemedicine services<\/span> in the operating procedures of hospitals, primary care facilities, public primary and secondary schools, state-funded post-secondary schools, emergency medical services agencies, and such other state agencies and practices deemed necessary by the <span class=\"dictionary\">Board<\/span>; <a id=\"paragraph-275946\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/32.1-122.03_1\/#C1\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C2\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">2.<\/span> The promotion of the use of <span class=\"dictionary\">remote patient monitoring services<\/span> and store-and-forward technologies, including in cases involving patients with chronic illness; <a id=\"paragraph-275947\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/32.1-122.03_1\/#C2\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C3\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">3.<\/span> A uniform and integrated set of proposed criteria for the use of telehealth technologies for prehospital and interhospital triage and transportation of patients initiating or in need of emergency medical services developed by the <span class=\"dictionary\">Board<\/span> in consultation with the <span class=\"dictionary\">Department<\/span> of Health Professions, the Virginia College of Emergency Physicians, the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association, the Virginia Chapter of the American College of Surgeons, the American Stroke Association, the American Telemedicine Association, and prehospital care <span class=\"dictionary\">providers<\/span>. The <span class=\"dictionary\">Board<\/span> may revise such criteria from time to time to incorporate accepted changes in medical practice and appropriate use of new and effective innovations in telehealth or telemedicine technologies, or to respond to needs indicated by analysis of data on patient outcomes. Such criteria shall be used as a guide and resource for health care <span class=\"dictionary\">providers<\/span> and are not intended to establish, in and of themselves, standards of care or to abrogate the requirements of &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Standard of care in proceeding before medical malpractice review panel; expert testimony; determination of standard in action for damages\" href=\"\/8.01-581.20\/\">8.01-581.20<\/a>. A decision by a health care <span class=\"dictionary\">provider<\/span> to deviate from the criteria shall not constitute <span class=\"dictionary\">negligence<\/span> per se; <a id=\"paragraph-275948\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/32.1-122.03_1\/#C3\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C4\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">4.<\/span> A strategy for integration of the Statewide Telehealth Plan with the <span class=\"dictionary\">State Health Plan<\/span>, the Statewide Emergency Medical Services Plan, the Statewide Trauma Triage Plan, and the Stroke Triage Plan to support the purposes of each plan; <a id=\"paragraph-275949\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/32.1-122.03_1\/#C4\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C5\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">5.<\/span> A strategy for the maintenance of the Statewide Telehealth Plan through (i) the development of an innovative payment model for emergency medical services that covers the transportation of a patient to a destination providing services of appropriate patient acuity and facilitates in-place treatment of a patient at the scene of an emergency response or via <span class=\"dictionary\">telehealth services<\/span> and <span class=\"dictionary\">telemedicine services<\/span>, where appropriate; (ii) the development of collaborative and uniform operating procedures for establishing and recording informed patient consent for the use of <span class=\"dictionary\">telehealth services<\/span> and <span class=\"dictionary\">telemedicine services<\/span> that are easily accessible by those medical professionals engaging in <span class=\"dictionary\">telehealth services<\/span> and <span class=\"dictionary\">telemedicine services<\/span>; and (iii) appropriate liability protection for <span class=\"dictionary\">providers<\/span> involved in such telehealth and telemedicine consultation and treatment; and <a id=\"paragraph-275950\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/32.1-122.03_1\/#C5\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C6\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">6.<\/span> A strategy for the collection of data regarding the use of <span class=\"dictionary\">telehealth services<\/span> and <span class=\"dictionary\">telemedicine services<\/span> in the delivery of inpatient and outpatient services, treatment of chronic illnesses, remote patient monitoring, and emergency medical services to determine the effect of use of <span class=\"dictionary\">telehealth services<\/span> and <span class=\"dictionary\">telemedicine services<\/span> on the medical service system in the Commonwealth, including (i) the potential for reducing unnecessary inpatient hospital <span class=\"dictionary\">stays<\/span>, particularly among patients with chronic illnesses or conditions; (ii) the impact of the use of <span class=\"dictionary\">telehealth services<\/span> and <span class=\"dictionary\">telemedicine services<\/span> on patient morbidity, mortality, and quality of life; (iii) the potential for reducing unnecessary prehospital and interhospital transfers; and (iv) the impact on annual expenditures for health care services for all payers, including expenditures by third-<span class=\"dictionary\">party<\/span> payers and out-of-pocket expenditures by patients. <a id=\"paragraph-275951\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/32.1-122.03_1\/#C6\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nSTATEWIDE TELEHEALTH PLAN (\u00a7 32.1-122.03:1)\n\nA. As used in this section:\n\t\t\t&#8220;Remote patient monitoring services&#8221; has the same meaning as in\n&#xA7; 38.2-3418.16.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Telehealth services&#8221; means the use of telecommunications and\ninformation technology to provide access to health assessments, diagnosis,\nintervention, consultation, supervision, and information across distance.\n&#8220;Telehealth services&#8221; includes the use of such technologies as\ntelephones, facsimile machines, electronic mail systems, store-and-forward\ntechnologies, and remote patient monitoring devices that are used to collect and\ntransmit patient data for monitoring and interpretation. Nothing in this\ndefinition shall be construed or interpreted to amend the appropriate\nestablishment of a bona fide practitioner-patient relationship, as defined in\n&#xA7; 54.1-3303.\n\t\t\t&#8220;Telemedicine services&#8221; has the same meaning as in &#xA7;\n38.2-3418.16.\n\nB. The Board shall amend and maintain, in consultation with the Virginia\nTelehealth Network, as a component of the State Health Plan a Statewide\nTelehealth Plan to promote an integrated approach to the introduction and use of\ntelehealth services and telemedicine services. The Board shall contract with the\nVirginia Telehealth Network, or another Virginia-based nongovernmental,\nnonprofit organization focused on telehealth if the Virginia Telehealth Network\nis no longer in existence, to (i) provide direct consultation to any advisory\ngroups and groups tasked by the Board with implementation and data collection as\nrequired by this section, (ii) track implementation of the Statewide Telehealth\nPlan, and (iii) facilitate changes to the Statewide Telehealth Plan as accepted\nmedical practices and technologies evolve.\n\nC. The Statewide Telehealth Plan shall include but not be limited to provisions\nfor:\n\n   1. The promotion of the inclusion of telehealth services and telemedicine\n   services in the operating procedures of hospitals, primary care facilities,\n   public primary and secondary schools, state-funded post-secondary schools,\n   emergency medical services agencies, and such other state agencies and\n   practices deemed necessary by the Board;\n\n   2. The promotion of the use of remote patient monitoring services and\n   store-and-forward technologies, including in cases involving patients with\n   chronic illness;\n\n   3. A uniform and integrated set of proposed criteria for the use of telehealth\n   technologies for prehospital and interhospital triage and transportation of\n   patients initiating or in need of emergency medical services developed by the\n   Board in consultation with the Department of Health Professions, the Virginia\n   College of Emergency Physicians, the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare\n   Association, the Virginia Chapter of the American College of Surgeons, the\n   American Stroke Association, the American Telemedicine Association, and\n   prehospital care providers. The Board may revise such criteria from time to\n   time to incorporate accepted changes in medical practice and appropriate use\n   of new and effective innovations in telehealth or telemedicine technologies,\n   or to respond to needs indicated by analysis of data on patient outcomes. Such\n   criteria shall be used as a guide and resource for health care providers and\n   are not intended to establish, in and of themselves, standards of care or to\n   abrogate the requirements of &#xA7; 8.01-581.20. A decision by a health care\n   provider to deviate from the criteria shall not constitute negligence per se;\n\n   4. A strategy for integration of the Statewide Telehealth Plan with the State\n   Health Plan, the Statewide Emergency Medical Services Plan, the Statewide\n   Trauma Triage Plan, and the Stroke Triage Plan to support the purposes of each\n   plan;\n\n   5. A strategy for the maintenance of the Statewide Telehealth Plan through (i)\n   the development of an innovative payment model for emergency medical services\n   that covers the transportation of a patient to a destination providing\n   services of appropriate patient acuity and facilitates in-place treatment of a\n   patient at the scene of an emergency response or via telehealth services and\n   telemedicine services, where appropriate; (ii) the development of\n   collaborative and uniform operating procedures for establishing and recording\n   informed patient consent for the use of telehealth services and telemedicine\n   services that are easily accessible by those medical professionals engaging in\n   telehealth services and telemedicine services; and (iii) appropriate liability\n   protection for providers involved in such telehealth and telemedicine\n   consultation and treatment; and\n\n   6. A strategy for the collection of data regarding the use of telehealth\n   services and telemedicine services in the delivery of inpatient and outpatient\n   services, treatment of chronic illnesses, remote patient monitoring, and\n   emergency medical services to determine the effect of use of telehealth\n   services and telemedicine services on the medical service system in the\n   Commonwealth, including (i) the potential for reducing unnecessary inpatient\n   hospital stays, particularly among patients with chronic illnesses or\n   conditions; (ii) the impact of the use of telehealth services and telemedicine\n   services on patient morbidity, mortality, and quality of life; (iii) the\n   potential for reducing unnecessary prehospital and interhospital transfers;\n   and (iv) the impact on annual expenditures for health care services for all\n   payers, including expenditures by third-party payers and out-of-pocket\n   expenditures by patients.\n\nHISTORY: 2020, c. 729; 2022, cc. 724, 742.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}