Iowa Administrative Code
Agency 481 - Inspections and Appeals Department
Board of Physical and Occupational Therapy
Chapter 806 - Practice of Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants
Rule 481-806.3 - Telehealth Visits

Universal Citation: IA Admin Code 481-806.3

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 6, September 18, 2024

A licensee may provide occupational therapy services to a patient utilizing a telehealth visit if the occupational therapy services are provided in accordance with all requirements of this chapter.

(1) "Telehealth visit" means the provision of occupational therapy services by a licensee to a patient using technology where the licensee and the patient are not at the same physical location for the occupational therapy session.

(2) A licensee engaged in a telehealth visit shall utilize technology that is secure and HIPAA-compliant, pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, PL 104"191, August 21, 1996, 110 Stat. 193 6, and any amendments as of December 8, 2023, and that includes, at a minimum, audio or video equipment or both, that allows two-way real-time interactive communication between the licensee and the patient. A licensee may use non-real-time technologies to prepare for an occupational therapy session or to communicate with a patient between occupational therapy sessions.

(3) A licensee engaged in a telehealth visit shall be held to the same standard of care as a licensee who provides in-person occupational therapy. A licensee shall not utilize a telehealth visit if the standard of care for the particular occupational therapy services cannot be met using technology.

(4) Any occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant who provides an occupational therapy telehealth visit to a patient located in Iowa shall be licensed in Iowa.

(5) Prior to the first telehealth visit, a licensee shall obtain informed consent from the patient specific to the occupational therapy services that will be provided in a telehealth visit. At a minimum, the informed consent shall specifically inform the patient of the following:

a. The risks and limitations of the use of technology to provide occupational therapy services;

b. The potential for unauthorized access to protected health information; and

c. The potential for disruption of technology during a telehealth visit.

(6) A licensee shall only provide occupational therapy services using a telehealth visit in the areas of competence wherein proficiency in providing the particular service using technology has been gained through education, training, and experience.

(7) A licensee shall identify in the clinical record when occupational therapy services are provided utilizing a telehealth visit.

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