ORS 683.230
Practice of telemedicine

  • requirements
  • rules

(1)

As used in this section:

(a)

“Eye examination” means an assessment of a patient’s ocular health and visual status, including but not limited to objective refractive data or information generated by an automated testing device, such as an autorefractor, that is used to establish a medical diagnosis or to determine a refractive error.

(b)

“Optometric clinical health care services” includes, but is not limited to, assessment, consultation, diagnosis, patient education and care management by a licensed optometrist.

(c)

“Store and forward” means the transmission of patient information between a licensed optometrist and a patient, whether or not in real time.

(d)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(A)

“Telehealth” means the use of electronic and telecommunications technologies, including remote patient monitoring devices and store and forward technology, to support delivery of optometric clinical health care services.

(B)

“Telehealth” does not include electronic mail communication, facsimile transmission or audio-only telephone communication between a licensed optometrist and a patient, or the use of an automated computer program or managed website to diagnose or treat ocular or refractive conditions.

(e)

“Telemedicine” means the delivery of optometric clinical health care services to a patient by a licensed optometrist through telehealth.

(2)

A licensed optometrist may engage in the practice of telemedicine if:

(a)

The licensed optometrist provides notice to the patient that the licensed optometrist intends to practice telemedicine prior to engaging in the practice of telemedicine with the patient;

(b)

The patient is physically located in this state during the practice of telemedicine;

(c)

The technology used in the practice of telemedicine complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.), and the Health Insurance Portability and Availability Act privacy regulations, 45 C.F.R. parts 160 and 164; and

(d)

The licensed optometrist will provide the patient with an initial prescription for corrective glasses or contact lenses, and the licensed optometrist has an established patient-provider relationship with the patient that includes an in-person eye examination prior to engaging in the practice of telemedicine with the patient.

(3)

If the licensed optometrist is employed by or contracts with an entity that operates exclusively through an online platform to provide corrective glasses and contact lenses, the licensed optometrist may engage in the practice of telemedicine with a patient if:

(a)

The practice of telemedicine described in this subsection is not for an initial prescription for corrective glasses or contact lenses; and

(b)

The patient is at least 18 years of age.

(4)

The Oregon Board of Optometry may adopt rules related to the practice of telemedicine by licensed optometrists. [2019 c.234 §2]
Note: 683.230 (Practice of telemedicine) was added to and made a part of 683.010 (Definitions for ORS 683.010 to 683.310) to 683.310 (Professional corporation regulation not required) by legislative action but was not added to any smaller series therein. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

Source: Section 683.230 — Practice of telemedicine; requirements; rules, https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors683.­html.

683.010
Definitions for ORS 683.010 to 683.310
683.020
License required to practice optometry
683.030
Persons and practices not affected
683.035
Discrimination against optometrists prohibited
683.040
Qualifications of applicants
683.060
Examination of applicants
683.070
Issuance of certificates of licensure
683.080
Validity of certificates issued under former law
683.100
Notice to board of place of practice
683.110
Optometrist to give receipt when practicing away from regular place of business
683.120
License renewal
683.130
Clinics and instructors connected with educational institutions
683.140
Grounds for and nature of discipline
683.155
Hearing
683.165
Confidential information
683.170
Sanction may be set aside by board
683.180
Prohibited acts and practices
683.190
Acceptance of lens for duplication by unlicensed person prohibited
683.200
Standards of liability
683.210
Continuing education requirement
683.220
Licensing of applicant holding license in another state
683.230
Practice of telemedicine
683.240
Council on Optometric Nontopical Formulary
683.250
Oregon Board of Optometry
683.260
Persons ineligible for membership on board
683.270
Powers and duties of board
683.278
Continuing authority of board upon lapse, suspension, revocation or voluntary surrender of license
683.290
Disposition of receipts
683.310
Professional corporation regulation not required
683.325
Investigation of complaints and alleged violations
683.330
Injunction for violation
683.335
Report of suspected violation
683.340
Duty to report prohibited conduct
683.510
Definitions for ORS 683.520 to 683.530
683.520
Scope of practice of optician
683.525
Acceptance of lens for duplication
683.530
Discrimination against opticians prohibited
683.990
Penalties
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