Veterinary Medicine Telehealth — House Bill 4912

Summary

A fact sheet titled Veterinary Medicine Telehealth on House Bill 4912. It states that on April 15, 2021 the Michigan Board of Veterinary Medicine finalized rules allowing telemedicine for veterinary care without a prior in-person visit, and that unless amended House Bill 4912 would allow veterinary telemedicine only after an in-person visit. It states that the Committee Substitute for House Bill 4912 allows telemedicine to begin without first requiring an in-person visit. It lists claimed benefits, including use in emergency or after-hours situations, access for people with limited transportation and seniors with mobility issues, and post-surgical care.

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Veterinary Medicine Telehealth Background:

¢ On April 15, 2021, the Michigan Board of Veterinary Medicine finalized state rules allowing
telemedicine for veterinary care. As with human medicine, the rules allow for a patient to begin
telemedicine without first having to do an in-person visit with a veterinarian.

¢ Unless it is amended, House Bill 4912 severely limits veterinary telemedicine by only allowing it
to occur after an in-person visit takes place. Unfortunately, having to do an in-person visit defeats
the purpose of telemedicine and is not even a requirement for human medicine.

e The Committee Substitute for House Bill 4912 allows telemedicine to begin without first requiring
an in-person visit. It improves efficiencies and accessibility, makes sense for veterinary medicine,
and benefits both animals and their owners.

e Allowing telehealth to begin without first doing an in-person visit:
© Has long been the practice for Human Medicine’
O Is explicitly allowed in rules adopted by the Michigan Board of Veterinary Medicine *
O Is consistent with American Association of State Veterinary Boards guidelines “#

Benefits of Veterinary Telemedicine:

* Veterinary telemedicine is a time tested, safe, and effective way to treat patients. There have never
been complaints where it exists.

¢ Telemedicine is an excellent resource for emergency or after-hours situations.

e For those in rural and urban areas with limited or no transportation, telemedicine may be the
only option for care.

* Telemedicine is often the option for senior citizens with mobility issues to obtain veterinary care.
e Telemedicine greatly lessens the level of anxiety for animals.

e Remote telemedicine reduces the chance of an animal catching a new illness.

¢ Veterinary telemedicine is as effective tool for post-surgical care.

e With the current shortage of veterinarians this allows for a greater use of resources and better
access to timely care.

¢ Telemedicine will not replace office visits, but it has been shown to be an effective tool in treating
animals. Licensed veterinarians should be trusted to use this tool to advance treatment and care.

¢ Michigan allows telemedicine to begin without first having an in-person visit for human medicine
for all ages. Michigan should allow the same for veterinary medicine.

'See: MCL 500.3476 Telemedicine services; provisions; definitions
"See: R 338.4901a Telehealth Services. Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs—Veterinary Medicine General Rules

‘See: AAVSB Recommended Guidelines for the Appropriate Use of Telehealth Technologies in the Practice of Veterinary Medicine. September 2018


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