Iowa Administrative Code
Agency 481 - Inspections and Appeals Department
Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology
Chapter 741 - Practice of Speech Pathologists and Audiologists
Rule 481-741.1 - Telehealth Visits

(1) "Telehealth visit" means the provision of speech pathology or audiology services by a licensee to a patient using technology where the licensee and the patient are not at the same physical location during the appointment.

(2) A licensee engaged in a telehealth visit will utilize technology that is secure and HIPAA-compliant (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, PL 104"191, August 21, 1996, 110 Stat 1936), and that includes, at a minimum, audio and video equipment 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 appointment or to communicate with a patient between appointments.

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

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

(5) A licensee will only provide speech pathology or audiology 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.

(6) A licensee will identify in the clinical record when speech pathology or audiology services are provided utilizing a telehealth visit.

(7) Speech pathology or audiology services in Iowa through telephonic, electronic, or other means constitute the practice of speech pathology or audiology and require Iowa licensure, regardless of the location of the speech/language pathologist or audiologist.