Summary:

 Senate Bill252 (SB252) relates to telehealth by modifying the New Mexico Telehealth Act to allow all licensed social workers to provide telehealth services.  

Legislation Overview:

 Senate Bill252 (SB252) modifies the Telehealth Act by adding to the definition of health care provider to now read: "health care provider" means a person licensed, certified or registered to provide health care to patients in New Mexico. In addition, the list of providers is expanded by a certified peer support worker, or any other health care professional who has received a Medicaid provider identification number from the Health Care Authority.
The terms “certified or registered” are new language in this Bill. 
"telehealth" means the use of electronic information, imaging and communication technologies, including interactive audio, video, data communications as well as store-and-forward technologies, to provide and support health care delivery, diagnosis, consultation, treatment, transfer of medical data and education. There were no changes to the definition of telehealth. 

 

Amendments:

 Amended February 25, 2025 in STBTC
STBTCa/SB252 The Senate Tax, Business, and Transportation Committee amends SB252 as follows:

"SECTION 2.  Section 24-25-5 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2004, Chapter 48, Section 5, as amended) is amended to read: "24-25-5.  SCOPE OF ACT.-A.  The New Mexico Telehealth Act does not alter the scope of practice of any health care provider or authorize the delivery of health care services in a setting, or in a manner, not otherwise authorized by law. B.  Because the use of telehealth improves access to quality health care and will generally benefit the citizens of New Mexico, health insurers, health maintenance organizations, managed care organizations and third-party payors offering services to the citizens of New Mexico are encouraged to use and provide coverage for telehealth within the scope of their plans or policies.  The state's medical assistance program is also encouraged to include telehealth within the scope of its plan or policy. C.  Nothing in the New Mexico Telehealth Act shall be construed to alter supervision requirements set forth by a health care provider's applicable licensing board.  A health care provider shall provide telehealth services under the same level of supervision required for in-person practice. "".,
This is a new Section 2 to SBa252 and is now referred to the Senate Finance Committee.