- Counselors
- Social Workers
- Marriage and Family Therapists
- Psychologists
- Psychiatrists
- Nurses
- Medicaid Telehealth Parity Law
- Private Pay Telehealth Parity Law
- Payment Parity
- Permission for the Temporary Practice of Clinicians Licensed Outside the State
- Response to COVID-19
- Counselors
- Social Workers
- Marriage and Family Therapists
- Psychologists
- Psychiatrists
- Nurses
- Medicaid Telehealth Parity Law
- Private Pay Telehealth Parity Law
- Payment Parity
- Permission for the Temporary Practice of Clinicians Licensed Outside the State
- Response to COVID-19
Counselors
We are not aware of any specific rules and regulations of the practice of telemental health services for Counselors.
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
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
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
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.
Note: As this is a free resource and Rules and Regulations regarding Telehealth are always changing, we appreciate any updates or corrections. They can be emailed to us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with a link to the source or a citation of the rule or regulation.
Telemental health is not a separate service from mental health services. All state licensing boards require that licensed clinicians follow all the regulations for practicing under their license no matter what medium of communication is used. All licensing boards also require that clinicians only practice within the boundaries of their competence. This usually requires education, continuing education, and/or supervision in telemental health. Complete our telehealth training program to cover all the essential competencies of providing telemental health services and earn the THTC (Telemental Health Training Certificate).
Social Workers
We are not aware of any specific rules and regulations of the practice of telemental health services for Social Workers.