Section 34-22-80 Legislative findings. The Legislature hereby finds and declares that technological advances are occurring in the practice of optometry, thereby changing the practice of optometry, and that those technological advances are in the public interest. The Legislature further finds and declares that the practice of optometry is a privilege and that the state’s ability […]
Section 34-22-81 Definitions. For the purposes of this article, the following terms shall have the following meanings: (1) BOARD. The Alabama Board of Optometry created pursuant to Section 34-22-40. (2) DISTANT SITE PROVIDER. The provider providing the telemedicine service from a site other than the patient’s current location. A distant site provider shall hold an […]
Section 34-22-82 Telemedicine – Protocols; privacy practices. (a) A provider who uses telemedicine in his or her practice shall adopt protocols to prevent fraud and abuse through the use of telemedicine. (b)(1) Privacy practices. a. A provider that communicates with patients by electronic communications other than telephone or facsimile shall provide patients with written notification […]
Section 34-22-83 Telemedicine – Services; provider-patient relationship; standards of practice; confidentiality. (a) Telemedicine services provided at an established treatment site may be used for all patient visits, including initial evaluations to establish a proper doctor-patient relationship between a provider and a patient. (1) A provider shall be reasonably available onsite at the established medical site […]
Section 34-22-84 Maintenance of records. (a) Patient records shall be maintained for all telemedicine services. The provider or distant site provider shall maintain the records created at any site where treatment or evaluation is provided. (b) Distant site providers shall obtain an adequate and complete medical history for the patient before providing treatment and shall […]
Section 34-22-85 Exceptions. (a) A licensed optometrist, who is not licensed in Alabama pursuant to Section 34-22-20 or Section 34-22-21, who utilizes telemedicine across state lines in an emergency, as defined by the board, is not subject to the requirements of this article. (b) A provider that is contacted in an emergency is not subject […]
Section 34-22-86 Penalties. Any person who violates this article is subject to criminal prosecution for the unlicensed practice of optometry under Section 34-22-6, or other action authorized in this state to prohibit or penalize continued practice without a license under Section 34-22-8. (Act 98-495, p. 956, §7; Act 2014-339, p. 1257, §1.)
Section 34-22-87 Rulemaking authority. The Alabama Board of Optometry is vested with authority to adopt and promulgate rules to effect the purposes of this article. (Act 98-495, p. 956, §8; Act 2014-339, p. 1257, §1.)
Section 34-22-88 Rules and regulations. The Alabama Board of Optometry is vested with authority to adopt and promulgate rules and regulations to effect the purposes of this article. (Act 98-495, p. 956, §9.)
