SB272 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Dan RobertsSenator

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Steve LivingstonShay ShelnuttBobby D. SingletonJ.T. Waggoner

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Health, telehealth and telemedicine further provided for, reg. by Bd. of Medical Examiners and Medical Licensure Commission, Secs. 34-24-700 to 34-24-707, inclusive, added; Secs. 34-24-500 to 34-24-508, inclusive, re practice of medicine across state lines, repealed.

Summary

SB272 creates a comprehensive telehealth framework in Alabama, replacing the old cross-state licensing rules and establishing in-state regulations for telemedicine practice.

What This Bill Does

It repeals the old cross-state licensing sections and adds a new Article 12 to regulate telehealth in Alabama. It requires physicians providing telehealth to Alabama residents to hold an active Alabama license, with limited exceptions for irregular/infrequent telehealth or when consulting with an Alabama-licensed physician. It sets standards for forming a patient-physician relationship, verifying patient identity and location, obtaining patient consent, and maintaining medical records, with telehealth care treated as occurring at the patient’s originating site. It also regulates prescribing via telehealth, including safeguards for controlled substances, and requires HIPAA compliance and record-keeping; the rules apply only to patients located in Alabama and include certain exemptions, such as mental health services.

Who It Affects

• Alabama residents who use telehealth services, who will access telemedicine under defined rules and may require in-person visits after multiple telehealth visits for the same condition.
• Physicians and medical practices that provide telehealth in Alabama, who must be licensed (with limited exceptions), follow consent and record-keeping requirements, and adhere to prescribing rules for telehealth.

Key Provisions

• Repeals Sections 34-24-500 through 34-24-508 and creates new Article 12 to regulate telehealth/telemedicine; telehealth is defined and governed within Alabama.
• Defines key terms: asynchronous/synchronous telehealth, originating site, distant site, digital health, telemedicine, telehealth medical services, and related concepts.
• Requires telehealth providers to have a full, active Alabama medical license, with exceptions for irregular/infrequent telehealth or when consulting with an Alabama-licensed physician.
• Requires establishment of a patient-physician relationship for telehealth; relationship can be formed without an in-person exam; actions include identity/location verification, disclosure of credentials, and patient consent documented in the medical record.
• Mandates a standard of care, including history taking, exams as applicable, disclosure of diagnosis and treatment options, and a patient visit summary with follow-up information.
• Imposes a four-visit-per-12-month limit for telehealth for the same condition before requiring in-person care or an in-state referral; pregnancy is counted as a separate condition; certain exemptions may be set by rule, and video with in-person assistance counts as an in-person visit.
• Applies telehealth rules to patients located in Alabama; the act includes an anti-antitrust provision for the boards acting under the act.
• Allows prescribing via telehealth with conditions for legend drugs, medical supplies, and especially controlled substances; with safeguards including required synchronous communication and a prior in-person encounter within 12 months, except in emergencies.
• Requires HIPAA compliance, privacy protections, and proper medical record maintenance and accessibility; boards may set record standards and regulate telehealth services to ensure quality and prevent fraud.
• Authorizes regulatory rules by the Board of Medical Examiners and the Medical Licensure Commission, potentially displacing competition but aiming to promote quality care and supervision.
• Limitations: the provisions apply only to telehealth services for patients located in Alabama, and certain mental health services are carved out from these requirements.
• Effective date: the act becomes law 90 days after it is signed by the Governor.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Health