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Louisiana SLP Telehealth

Definitions

“Asynchronous Store and Forward Transfer” - The transmission of client information in the delivery of telehealth services from an originating site to the provider at the distant site without the client being present.

“Originating Site” - The location of the client at the time the service is furnished via a telecommunications system or when the asynchronous store and forward transfer occurs.

“Synchronous Interaction” - Communication through interactive technology in the delivery of telehealth services that enable an audiologist or speech-language pathologist and a client at two locations separated by distance to interact via two-way video and audio transmissions simultaneously.

“Telehealth” - Also known as telepractice, is a mode of delivering audiology and speech-language pathology services that utilizes information and communication technologies to enable the diagnosis, consultation, treatment, education, care management, and self-management of clients at a distance from the audiologist or speech-language pathologist provider. Telehealth allows services to be accessed when providers are in a distant site and patients are in the originating site. Telehealth facilitates self-management and caregiver support for patients and includes synchronous interactions and asynchronous store and forward transfers.

“Telehealth Registration” - Limited to out-of-state residents whose out-of-state audiology or speech-language pathology license does not require supervision, is an unrestricted and unencumbered license in good standing to perform audiology or speech-language pathology in the state in which the provider is located, and the license is comparable to the license in Louisiana as determined by this board.

License Requirement

The use of telehealth in the delivery of speech-language pathology or audiology services, regardless of where the services are rendered or delivered, constitutes the practice of speech-language pathology or audiology and shall require Louisiana licensure for in-state practitioners and telehealth registration for out-of-state practitioners.

Telehealth in Practice

Telehealth, regardless of where the service is rendered or delivered, constitutes the practice of audiology or speech-language pathology and shall require Louisiana licensure for in-state practitioners and telehealth registration for out-of-state licensed practitioners.

A provider of telehealth services shall be competent in both the type of services provided and the methodology and equipment used to provide the services.

A provider of telehealth services must use methods for protecting client information that include authentication and encryption technology.

The standard of care shall be the same as if the audiology or speech-language pathology services were delivered face-to-face.

It is the responsibility of the provider to determine candidacy and to ensure that the client is comfortable with the technology being utilized.

The client shall be notified of telehealth services including but not limited to the right to refuse telehealth services, options for service delivery, and instructions on filing and resolving complaints, in all applicable jurisdictions.

Application for Telehealth Registration Out-of-State

An application to practice audiology and/or speech-language pathology via telepractice shall be made on forms supplied by the board.

Proof of unrestricted, unencumbered current licensure granted in the home state based on standards at least equivalent to those in Louisiana shall be submitted.

Applicants shall provide official verification of licensure and/or registration status in each state, including any formal disciplinary action resulting in sanction and/or disciplinary proceedings which are pending.

The initial telehealth registration fee submitted to this board shall be paid by cashier’s check, money order, or credit card.

Until an application has been approved by the board, the audiologist and/or speech-language pathologist shall not engage in delivery of telepractice services to Louisiana residents.

Applicants who have not obtained registration within one year of having submitted the application shall be deemed to have abandoned the application, resulting in mandatory reporting to the appropriate federal data bank. An applicant may request a withdrawal of the application subject to review and approval by the board.

In order for telepractice registration to remain current in Louisiana, the individual must maintain an unrestricted, unencumbered current license in another state, whose standards are at least equivalent to those in Louisiana.

When there is probable cause to believe that an applicant practiced illegally in Louisiana as an audiologist and/or speech-language pathologist, the board may offer a consent agreement and order which will grant the individual registration, subject to the following specified terms and conditions.

Within 90 days of the date of the consent agreement and order, the applicant shall take and pass an open book examination regarding R.S. 37:2650-2666, the board’s rules and regulations, and ethical questions.

    • Open book test fee shall be $30. The retest fee shall be $10 per section.
    • Applicants have 4.5 hours to complete all sections of the test.
    • The open book examination or any section may be re-taken anytime within the 90 days.
    • Notice of the consent agreement and order shall be published.
    • If the applicant fails to successfully complete all requirements set forth in the above paragraphs, the applicant’s registration shall be suspended without further notice until the board receives and accepts documentation of the applicant’s completion of the consent agreement and order requirements.

Reference

LSA-R.S. §2660.1

La. Admin. Code tit. 46 §103

La. Admin. Code tit. 46 §111

La. Admin. Code tit. 46 §135

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