Vermont

Counselors

We are not aware of any specific rules and regulations of the practice of telemental health services for Counselors.

Social Workers

We are not aware of any specific rules and regulations of the practice of telemental health services for Social Workers.

Marriage and Family Therapists

We are not aware of any specific rules and regulations of the practice of telemental health services for MFTs.

Psychologists

We are not aware of any specific rules and regulations of the practice of telemental health services for Psychologists.

Psychiatrists

Source

Vermont Board of Medical Practice

Policy on the Appropriate Use of Telemedicine Technologies in the Practice of Medicine

Licensure:

“A physician must be licensed, or under the jurisdiction, of the medical board of the state where

the patient is located. The practice of medicine occurs where the patient is located at the time

telemedicine technologies are used. Physicians who treat or prescribe through online services

sites are practicing medicine and must possess appropriate licensure in all jurisdictions where

patients receive care.6

Establishment of a Physician-Patient Relationship:

Where an existing physician-patient relationship is not present, a physician must take appropriate

steps to establish a physician-patient relationship consistent with the guidelines identified in

Section Two, and, while each circumstance is unique, such physician-patient relationships may

be established using telemedicine technologies provided the standard of care is met.

Evaluation and Treatment of the Patient:

A documented medical evaluation and collection of relevant clinical history commensurate with

the presentation of the patient to establish diagnoses and identify underlying conditions and/or

contra-indications to the treatment recommended/provided must be obtained prior to providing

treatment, including issuing prescriptions, electronically or otherwise. Treatment and

consultation recommendations made in an online setting, including issuing a prescription via

electronic means, will be held to the same standards of appropriate practice as those in traditional

(encounter in person) settings. Evaluation of a patient done solely by means of completion of an

online questionnaire does not meet any acceptable standard care, including when the only service

provided is issuance of a prescription.

Informed Consent:

Evidence documenting appropriate patient informed consent for the use of telemedicine

technologies must be obtained and maintained.”

Refer to the source provided for all requirements and limitations.

Vermont Professional Regulation/Health & Safety Online Prescribing

Source

Title 18 : Health Chapter 219 : Health Information Technology And Telemedicine

Subchapter 002 : Telemedicine

"Subject to the limitations of the license under which the individual is practicing, a health care provider licensed in this State may prescribe, dispense, or administer drugs or medical supplies, or otherwise provide treatment recommendations to a patient after having performed an appropriate examination of the patient in person, through telemedicine, or by the use of instrumentation and diagnostic equipment through which images and medical records may be transmitted electronically. Treatment recommendations made via electronic means, including issuing a prescription via electronic means, shall be held to the same standards of appropriate practice as those in traditional provider-patient settings."

Refer to the source provided for all requirements and limitations.

Nurses

We are not aware of any specific rules and regulations of the practice of telemental health services for Nurses.

Vermont Professional Regulation/Health & Safety Online Prescribing

Source

Title 18 : Health Chapter 219 : Health Information Technology And Telemedicine

Subchapter 002 : Telemedicine

"Subject to the limitations of the license under which the individual is practicing, a health care provider licensed in this State may prescribe, dispense, or administer drugs or medical supplies, or otherwise provide treatment recommendations to a patient after having performed an appropriate examination of the patient in person, through telemedicine, or by the use of instrumentation and diagnostic equipment through which images and medical records may be transmitted electronically. Treatment recommendations made via electronic means, including issuing a prescription via electronic means, shall be held to the same standards of appropriate practice as those in traditional provider-patient settings."

Refer to the source provided for all requirements and limitations.

Medicaid Telehealth Parity Law

Source: Dept. of VT Health Access, Green Mountain Care Provider Manual, p. 106

Telemedicine is defined in Act 64 as “…the delivery of health care services… through the use of live interactive audio and video over a secure connection that complies with the requirements the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, Public Law 104-191.

Telemedicine does not include the use of audio-only telephone, e-mail, or facsimile.” Act 64 is available here

To bill Vermont Medicaid for clinically appropriate services delivered through telemedicine outside a health care facility or from facility to facility, the following requirements must be met:

• Must be a Medicaid-enrolled provider 

Refer to the source provided for all requirements and limitations.

Originating Site Reimbursement: The originating site is the location of the patient. 

Source: VT Statutes Annotated, Title 8 Sec. 4100k & Title 18 Sec. 9361 (2017)

Vermont has had a telehealth parity law since 2012 (Act 107), and S 139 – removes the facility restrictions from Medicaid primary care services via telemedicine, and S 243 – established a telemedicine pilot program for substance abuse treatment. Also, bill H 543 may require insurance coverage for telemedicine services when they are delivered in or outside a health care facility.

Private Pay Telehealth Parity Law

Source: VT Statutes Annotated, Title 8 Sec. 4100k. (2017)

Vermont has had a telehealth parity law since 2012 (Act 107), and S 139 – removes the facility restrictions from Medicaid primary care services via telemedicine, and S 243 – established a telemedicine pilot program for substance abuse treatment. Also, bill H 543 may require insurance coverage for telemedicine services when they are delivered in or outside a health care facility.

Refer to the source provided for all requirements and limitations.

Payment Parity

We are not aware of any explicit payment parity.

*Clinicians who have had an experience with telehealth reimbursement in this state are invited to share their experiences in the comments section below: a) type of service provided; b) insurance provider; c) payment parity, payment issues, or insurance requirements. 

Permission for the Temporary Practice of Clinicians Licensed Outside the State

We are not aware of any permission that allows for services delivered by out-of-state providers.

Response to COVID-19

Click here to view the state’s response to COVID-19 in regard to all behavioral health professionals.