Ohio Considers Expanding Telehealth Access for Veterinary Care
- Dr. Zeke Zekoff
- May 3
- 2 min read
Ohio is considering a new bill that would amend current regulations to establish specific requirements and procedures for veterinarian telehealth visits. This legislation aims to modernize the way veterinarians can interact with clients and their animal patients, offering more flexibility in providing care.
The bill focuses on amending section 4741.04 and enacting section 4741.041 of the Revised Code. Section 4741.04 outlines the conditions for establishing a valid veterinary-client-patient relationship (VCPR), which is fundamental to veterinary practice. The proposed amendment would update how a veterinarian can gain "sufficient knowledge" of the patient to make a diagnosis.
Currently, this knowledge is typically acquired through an in-person examination at the veterinarian's office. The new bill would add the option of examining the patient in real-time via telehealth services as a means of establishing the VCPR. This would allow veterinarians to use technology to assess animals remotely, potentially increasing access to care, especially in situations where in-person visits are difficult.
Proposed section 4741.041 details the specific requirements for conducting telehealth services. Key provisions include:
Informed Consent: Veterinarians must obtain informed consent from the client, ensuring they understand that telehealth visits are subject to the same standards of care as in-person visits. Documentation of this consent must be maintained for at least three years.
Communication: Veterinarians must provide their name and contact information to the client and secure an alternative way to communicate if the telehealth visit is interrupted. Following the visit, the veterinarian must provide the client with an electronic or written record, including the veterinarian's license number.
Transparency: Before the telehealth evaluation, veterinarians must advise clients that an in-person visit might be recommended, that federal law restricts prescribing certain drugs via telehealth, that the telehealth appointment can be terminated at any time, and that the veterinarian may recommend an in-person veterinarian.
Prescribing Medications: Veterinarians can prescribe drugs after establishing a VCPR via telehealth, with some limitations. Initial prescriptions are limited to a 30-day supply, with one possible 30-day refill if another telehealth visit occurs. Additional refills require an in-person visit. Veterinarians must also inform clients if medications are available at a pharmacy and provide the prescription to the client's pharmacy of choice if requested. Importantly, controlled substances cannot be prescribed without an in-person physical examination.
This bill reflects a growing recognition of the potential benefits of telehealth in veterinary medicine, balancing the need to maintain quality care with the convenience and accessibility that technology can offer.
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