Veterans E-Health & Telemedicine Support Act of 2013

“1730B. Licensure of health care professionals providing treatment via telemedicine

“(a) In general—Notwithstanding any provision of law regarding the licensure of health care professionals, a covered health care professional may practice the health profession of the health care professional at any location in any State, the District of Columbia, or a commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States, regardless of where such health care professional or the patient is located, if the health care professional is using telemedicine to provide treatment to an individual under this chapter.

“(b) Property of Federal Government—Subsection (a) shall apply to a covered health care professional providing treatment to a patient regardless of whether such health care professional or patient is located in a facility owned by the Federal Government during such treatment.

“(c) Definitions—In this section:

“(1) The term covered health care professional means a health care professional who is—

“(A) authorized by the Secretary to provide health care under this chapter, including a private health care professional who provides such care under a contract entered into with the Secretary, including a contract entered into under section 1703 of this title; and

“(B) licensed to practice the health care profession of the health care professional.

“(2) The term telemedicine means the use of telecommunication technology and information technology to support the provision of health care in situations where the patient and health care professional are separated by geographic distance.

“(d) Construction—Nothing in this section may be construed to remove, limit, or otherwise affect any obligation of a covered health care professional under the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.).”