STATE OF WISCONSIN
PSYCHOLOGY EXAMINING BOARD
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IN THE MATTER OF RULEMAKING : ORDER OF THE
PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE : PSYCHOLOGY EXAMINING BOARD
PSYCHOLOGY EXAMINING BOARD : ADOPTING RULES : (CLEARINGHOUSE RULE 21-016)
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ORDER
An order of the Psychology Examining Board to create Psy 1.02 (11), 2.14 (2m), and 5.02 (1) and (2), relating to telehealth.
Analysis prepared by the Department of Safety and Professional Services.
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ANALYSIS
Explanation of agency authority:
Section 15.08 (5) (b), Stats.: “Each examining board shall promulgate rules for its own guidance and for the guidance of the trade or profession to which it pertains, and define and enforce professional conduct and unethical practices not inconsistent with the law relating to the particular trade or profession.” Section 227.11 (2) (a), Stats.: “Each agency may promulgate rules interpreting the provisions of any statute enforced or administered by the agency, if the agency considers it necessary to effectuate the purpose of the statute…” Section 5 of 2021 Wisconsin Act 121: “If the department, an examining board, or an affiliated credentialing board promulgates rules related to telehealth, the department, the examining board, or the affiliated credentialing board shall define “telehealth” to have the meaning given in s. 440.01 (1) (hm).” Related statute or rule:
None.
Plain language analysis:
The current Psychology Examining Board rules are silent on telehealth. This rule will include a uniform definition of telehealth given by 2021 Wisconsin Act 121, and specify psychologists are to hold a Wisconsin license or have valid certificates through the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact or PSYPACT (2021 Wisconsin Act 131) in order to diagnose and treat patients located in Wisconsin and are held to the same standards of conduct regardless of whether the services are provided in person or by telehealth. Summary of, and comparison with, existing or proposed federal regulation:
None.
Summary of public comments received on statement of scope and a description of how and to what extent those comments and feedback were taken into account in drafting the proposed rule:
None received.
Comparison with rules in adjacent states:
Illinois:
Illinois Statute provides that telehealth includes telemedicine and the delivery of health care services provided by way of an interactive telecommunications system. Illinois law further provides that “[a] health care professional treating a patient located in this State through telehealth must be licensed or authorized to practice in Illinois.” Practice of telehealth in Illinois is limited to the extent of the practitioner’s scope of practice as established in his or her respective licensing and consistent with the standards of care for in-person services. Psychologists are included in the definition of “health care professionals.”
Iowa:
Iowa law defines telehealth as “…the delivery of health care services through the use of interactive audio and video.” “Telehealth” does not include the delivery of health care services through an audio-only telephone, electronic mail message, or facsimile transmission. Services must comply all rules adopted by the appropriate professional licensing board, having oversight of the health care professional providing the health care services. Mental health is included in the delivery of health care services.
Michigan:
Michigan law defines “telemedicine” in their insurance code as the use of an electronic media to link patients with health care professionals in different locations. To be considered telemedicine under this section, the health care professional must be able to examine the patient via a statutorily compliant, secure interactive audio or video, or both, telecommunications system. Psychologists are included in the definition of “health care professionals.”
Minnesota:
Minnesota’s Governor issued an Executive Order authorizing and requesting “… out-of state mental healthcare providers who hold a current license, certificate, or other permit in good standing issued by a state of the United States or the District of Columbia evidencing the meeting of qualifications and competencies for licensees to render aid involving those skills in Minnesota by telehealth to meet the needs of this emergency.” Out-of-state practitioners must submit to the jurisdiction of the Minnesota health related regulatory and licensing boards. The relevant board may revoke a provider’s authorization to practice under this Executive Order at the board’s discretion. Minnesota’s telehealth law applies to physicians and is silent as to psychologists practicing telehealth.
