Nebraska Would Expand Telehealth to Other Professions if New Bill Passes   A new bill introduced in the Nebraska Legislature would permit other licensed health professionals to use telehealth technology in addition to physicians and physician assistants. The bill was filed for the 2019 legislative session by State Senator Mark Kolterman and is awaiting initial consideration. You can review the text of Legislative Bill 29 (LB 29) in full here.   LB 29 repeals the current statute that authorizes only physicians and physician assistants to utilize telehealth in delivering healthcare services. The bill replaces that statute with a 2nd section to The Uniform Credentialing Act. The new section allows for many licensees covered under the credentialing Act to provide services through telehealth systems. They are able to form patient-provider relationships as well as prescribe drugs if their license allows using the remote technology. The bill allows the Department of Health and Human Services to adopt administrative rules consistent with the provisions of the bill. These provisions would apply to all persons licensed under the Credentialing Act except for a list of licensees that includes professions such as cosmetologist, funeral directors, physical therapists, and others. This bill follows a general trend towards permitting licensed professionals to provide health services remotely with few restrictions beyond those required when they are practicing face to face. Though most states currently only extend the use of telehealth and telemedicine to physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners.   We will be monitoring LB 29 as it works its way through Nebraska’s legislative process this year. If you would like to contact Senator Mark Kolterman, LB 29’s sponsor, he can be reached via his Legislative webpage.