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Introduction
Under Governor Hogan’s leadership, executive orders have provided a broadening of telehealth
access so that health care services may be provided to the public without travel to a health care
site. Contained in this fact sheet are excerpts defining telehealth and excerpts pertaining to the
providing of physical therapy services through telehealth
MDBPTE POSITION STATEMENT
REFER TO COMPLETE DOCUMENT HERE: https://health.maryland.gov/bphte/Pages/index.aspx#
(1)Physical therapy practitioners must hold a valid Maryland license prior to providing physical
therapy services via telehealth to clients physically located in Maryland; and,
(2)The practice of physical therapy, via telehealth or otherwise, in the State of Maryland must be in
accordance with the Annotated Code of Maryland, Health Occupations Article, Title 13, and The
Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR), 10.38.01 – 10.38.11. Adopted by the Board: February 19, 2019
COMAR 10.38.03.01 (B)(21)
"Supervising physical therapist" means a physical therapist who provides ongoing supervision to a physical therapist assistant regarding the care of a patient. Nothing prohibits supervision
of/communication with the PTA being via telecommunication. Supervision of an aide cannot be
remote.
COMAR 10.38.01.01(B)(12)
"Ongoing supervision" means that the physical therapist maintains
continuing verbal and written contact with the physical therapist assistant to provide supervision
and instruction adequate to ensure the safety and welfare of the patient.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
♦ Physical therapy practitioners must hold a valid Maryland license prior to providing physical
therapy services via telehealth to clients physically located in Maryland
COVID-19 EXCERPTS ONLY
REFER TO COMPLETE DOCUMENTS HERE: https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/
Governor Hogan Executive Orders (March 5, 2020; March 7, 2020 rev.; April 1, 2020 rev.)
• That health care practitioners licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized by law to provide
health care services be permitted in Maryland to provide those services through the use of
telecommunications technologies (“telehealth”), including audio-only calls or conversations,
while complying with the same standards of practice that are applicable to in-person health
care settings.
• Subject to paragraphs III, IV, and V of this Order, the Secretary of Health may, through
directives, rules, or guidelines, authorize a health care practitioner to deliver health care
services through the use of telecommunications technologies (“telehealth”), as well as
audio-only calls or conversations, to a patient at a different physical location than the
health care practitioner, provided that:
a. The health care services delivered are:
i. Clinically appropriate; and
ii. Within the scope of practice of the health care practitioner; and
b. The health care practitioner:
i. Is licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized by law to provide health
care services in the state;
ii. Complies with the same standards of practice that are applicable to the
provision of health care services in in–person health care settings;
iii. Documents in a patient’s medical record the health care services
provided through telehealth or audio-only calls or conversations, according
to the same documentation standards used for in-patient health care
services; and
iv. If using audio-only calls or conversations, can interact with the patient at
the time the health care service is provided.
KEY TAKAWAY
♦ The health care practitioner: i. Is licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized by law to
provide health care services in the state
Emergency HB 448 / SB 402 (Approved by the Governor April 3, 2020)
• A HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONER PROVIDING HEALTH CARE SERVICES THROUGH
TELEHEALTH MUST BE LICENSED, CERTIFIED, OR OTHERWISE AUTHORIZED BY LAW TO
PROVIDE HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN THE STATE IF THE HEALTH CARE SERVICES ARE BEING PROVIDED TO A PATIENT LOCATED IN THE STATE.
• Definition of telehealth: Means a mode of delivering health care services through the use of
telecommunications technologies by a health care practitioner to a patient at a different
physical location than the health care practitioner. “Telehealth” includes synchronous and
asynchronous interactions. “Telehealth” does not include the provision of health care
services solely through audio-only calls, email messages, or facsimile transmissions.
• The use of telecommunications technologies (“telehealth”), may include audio-only calls or
conversations, while complying with the same standards of practice that are applicable to
in-person health care settings where therapeutically appropriate, in accordance with the
individual therapist's competency, the standards of care and practice, and the Board's
relevant documentation requirements, during the COVID-19 emergency.
KEY TAKAWAY
♦ A healthcare practitioner providing health care services through Telehealth must be
licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized by law to provide health care services in the
state if the health care services are being provided to a patient located in the state.
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