Establishment of professional relationship

Checkout our iOS App for a better way to browser and research.

  1. (a)

    1. (1) A healthcare professional at a distant site shall not utilize telemedicine with respect to a patient located in Arkansas unless a professional relationship exists between the healthcare professional and the patient or the healthcare professional otherwise meets the requirements of a professional relationship as defined in § 17-80-402.

    2. (2) The existence of a professional relationship is not required in the following circumstances:

      1. (A) Emergency situations where the life or health of the patient is in danger or imminent danger; or

      2. (B) Simply providing information of a generic nature, not meant to be specific to an individual patient.

  2. (b) If the establishment of the professional relationship is permitted via telemedicine under § 17-80-402(4)(E) or § 17-80-402(4)(F), telemedicine may be used to establish the professional relationship only for situations in which the standard of care does not require an in-person encounter.

  3. (c) “Professional relationship” does not include a relationship between a healthcare professional and a patient established only by the following:

    1. (1) An internet questionnaire;

    2. (2) An email message;

    3. (3) Patient-generated medical history;

    4. (4) Audio-only communication, including without limitation interactive audio;

    5. (5) Text messaging;

    6. (6) A facsimile machine; or

    7. (7) Any combination thereof.


Download our app to see the most-to-date content.