. 2020 May 4:1–8. doi: 10.1017/dmp.2020.118

TABLE 2.

Representative Legal and Regulatory Issues in the Development of Disaster Telemedicine

Issue	Concerns and Opportunities
Licensing and reciprocity	Telemedicine providers generally need to be licensed in the state in which the patient is located. Reciprocity of licensing could come from new models, such as the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, or licensing rules specific to telemedicine. Providers acting on behalf of the federal government or as part of an EMAC agreement are generally recognized to have licensure in the state receiving assistance.
Privacy and confidentiality	Telemedical practice is governed by HIPAA regulations, although disaster situations may allow some relaxation of privacy standards. The nature of the telemedical interface poses unique risks to privacy that will require the development of mitigation strategies.

Issue

Concerns and Opportunities

Licensing and reciprocity

Telemedicine providers generally need to be licensed in the state in which the patient is located. Reciprocity of licensing could come from new models, such as the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, or licensing rules specific to telemedicine. Providers acting on behalf of the federal government or as part of an EMAC agreement are generally recognized to have licensure in the state receiving assistance.

Privacy and confidentiality

Telemedical practice is governed by HIPAA regulations, although disaster situations may allow some relaxation of privacy standards. The nature of the telemedical interface poses unique risks to privacy that will require the development of mitigation strategies.