Joint Commission pulls proposed ambulatory telemedicine standards

The Joint Commission has announced it will not move forward in implementing any of its proposed changes to accreditation standards, including some for telehealth services.

In May of this year, the Joint Commission proposed changes to its accreditation standards, but these changes are being withdrawn. The modifications, which applied to Joint Commission-accredited hospitals and ambulatory organizations, would have required providers to provide patients’ location and collect informed consent before being able to provide telehealth services. According to Politico, the rules were thought to be too restrictive against current CMS standards and state laws.

“I think that shows they are willing to listen to providers and hospitals in the telemedicine industry,” telemedicine attorney Nathaniel Lacktman of Foley & Lardner told FierceHealthcare. “What that does mean is hospitals and telemedicine providers need to take time to submit comments or their feedback.”