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Table of Contents
Telemental / Telehealth Health Regulation in Arizona

TABLE OF CONTENTS

https://www.onlinetherapy.com

I. What are the licensure requirements in Arizona for telehealth mental health care?

Arizona licensure requirements state that anyone who provides mental health care is licensed by the Arizona Medical Board (AMB). The board does not place restrictions on the type of license that can practice telehealth (temporary, associate, or independent level licenses), but there may be some limitations on third-party reimbursement. Other licensed medical professionals can practice telehealth in Arizona if their service is appropriate to video and interactive electronic communications.

Requirements for out-of-state treatment

Arizona belongs to several multi-state compacts to ensure its residents have access to a wide range of telehealth services. Compacts include the following professions: nursing, psychology, physical therapy, and medical. The state permits consultations between doctors from Arizona and those belonging to an out-of-state telehealth organization.

Emergency licensure

The AMB can make emergency licenses available for physicians licensed in other states to practice in Arizona. One example is the extensions of licenses during the COVID-19 state of emergency. All licenses will last for up to 90 days or until the state of emergency is canceled.

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II. What are the online prescribing regulations in Arizona?

Any Arizona medical professional licensed by the AMB may provide prescriptions to you via online services. Usually, you would need a face-to-face medical or mental health exam to establish a doctor/patient relationship. Governor Ducey’s executive order in March 2020 removed this requirement, and telehealth sessions can be used as a substitute for an in-person visit.

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III. What are other common telehealth restrictions in Arizona?

Arizona requires that you must give consent before receiving telehealth services, either verbally or in writing. The state doesn’t allow telemedicine to be used for abortions, and all visits must be medically necessary. Arizona’s parity laws are limited, with private payers only paying for care in rural areas or specific services.

Types of telehealth services allowed

If you live in Arizona, you can take advantage of several virtual health services. Medicaid reimburses for:

  • Live video
  • Remote patient monitoring
  • Some store-and-forward applications

Store-and-forward is when data, such as images, are taken from one provider and forwarded to another health provider or site for evaluation. Email, telephone, and fax service are limited to virtual check-ins of very brief duration. Private insurance payers in the state only allow interactive video and audio services.

Types of providers allowed to offer telehealth services

The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (the state’s Medicaid program) has lists of eligible providers of live video and store-and-forward services.

Live video:

  • Home health care
  • Oncologist
  • Clinical social workers
  • Oncologists
  • Nutritional therapists
  • Dermatologists
  • Dentists
  • Psychologists
  • Neurologists
  • Ophthalmologists
  • Gynecologists
  • Radiologists
  • Cardiologists
  • Speech-language pathologists
  • Pharmacy managers
  • Pediatricians
  • Orthopedics
  • Rheumatologists
  • Post-operation specialists

Store-and-forward:

  • Cardiologists
  • Dermatologists
  • Behavioral health specialists
  • Infectious disease doctors
  • Ophthalmologists
  • Radiologists
  • Neurologists
  • Pathologists

Emergency allowances

Under Arizona’s revised statutes, if you’re a health care professional, you can apply for a temporary license for the treatment or diagnosis of COVID-19 in Arizona. This license will last for up to 90 days before expiring. You can then apply for a new license. The state’s Medicaid program has temporarily suspended review audits on many of its providers and relaxed its refill requirements on prescription medications.

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IV. Telehealth provider resources in Arizona

Arizona offers several online resources for those who are interested in learning more about telemedicine. These resources include information on how you can access telemedicine services and how providers can receive training to use telemedicine more effectively with patients.

Arizona Department of Health Services (DHS)

The state’s Department of Health Services website has recent guidelines on accessing telemedicine, rules and regulations applicable under the emergency public health order, and the latest general information on COVID-19. This information is updated daily and is available in Spanish and English.

Website | 602-542-1025

Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS)

The AHCCCS, Arizona’s Medicaid, is a federally run health assistance program. It has up-to-date information on telehealth services and billing requirements for members. The site, which serves both individuals and providers, lists the latest state waivers, covered services, and has downloadable policy manuals.

Website| 602-417-4000

Arizona Telemedicine Program

Operated by the University of Arizona, this program provides resources about telemedicine in the state. This includes links to telemedicine COVID-19 resources, a directory of service providers, telemedicine training programs for health care professionals, and a help desk for information and support.

Website | 520-626-2493

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author-img
Bridget Russell
LCSW

Bridget Russell is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of California with specialized training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and managing chronic health conditions. She is a senior manager of oncology patient access at Amgen in Los Angeles. Russell received her bachelor’s degree in exercise science from California State University Northridge in 2011 and her master’s degree in mental health and medical social work from University of Washington in 2015. She’s been a social worker since 2015.

After her master’s program, Russell worked as an inpatient and outpatient medical social worker at a Level 1 Trauma hospital helping patients and families navigate health and mental health challenges. She provided psychosocial support and also enabled patients with therapeutic techniques and strategies to address medical and emotional trauma as well as grief and loss.

Russell works in the patient engagement space, creating patient support programs to help people access necessary support during their oncology journey. She also works in private practice as a telehealth therapist, specializing in helping adults navigate job and relationship stress, new life transitions, and managing ongoing anxiety and depression. Her mission is to empower her clients to live productive and healthy lives while growing into the best versions of themselves based on their values, goals, and aspirations.

author-img
Bridget Russell
LCSW

Bridget Russell is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of California with specialized training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and managing chronic health conditions. She is a senior manager of oncology patient access at Amgen in Los Angeles. Russell received her bachelor’s degree in exercise science from California State University Northridge in 2011 and her master’s degree in mental health and medical social work from University of Washington in 2015. She’s been a social worker since 2015.

After her master’s program, Russell worked as an inpatient and outpatient medical social worker at a Level 1 Trauma hospital helping patients and families navigate health and mental health challenges. She provided psychosocial support and also enabled patients with therapeutic techniques and strategies to address medical and emotional trauma as well as grief and loss.

Russell works in the patient engagement space, creating patient support programs to help people access necessary support during their oncology journey. She also works in private practice as a telehealth therapist, specializing in helping adults navigate job and relationship stress, new life transitions, and managing ongoing anxiety and depression. Her mission is to empower her clients to live productive and healthy lives while growing into the best versions of themselves based on their values, goals, and aspirations.

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V. Sources

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