photo by: Kansas Board of Healing Arts logo

Topeka — Kansas has extended the state medical board’s existing regulations for health care providers to the practice of consulting with patients through video conferencing.

The State Rules and Regulations Board has unanimously approved three temporary regulations drafted by the State Board of Healing Arts to cover telemedicine under a new law taking effect in January.

The new law encourages the use of telemedicine for patients in areas with a shortage of health care providers by ensuring that health insurance covers such services.

The seven-member Rules and Regulations Board decides whether an agency can impose temporary regulations immediately without a public hearing. Temporary regulations remain in effect for four months.

The Board of Healing Arts is proposing similar permanent regulations and has scheduled a public hearing on them for March 5.