SB 25-159

Senate Bill 25-159 updates Colorado’s laws on veterinary telehealth. It allows veterinarians to establish a relationship with animal patients through video calls instead of requiring an in-person visit, and permits them to prescribe most medications without needing to see the patient physically first. However, for controlled substances or antibiotics prescribed for more than 14 days, an initial in-person examination is still required. This bill has been signed into law, meaning that veterinarians can now legally provide telehealth services under these new guidelines.

Official Summary

The bill modifies certain laws related to the practice of veterinary telehealth. Under current law, in order to practice veterinary telehealth in Colorado, a licensed veterinarian must establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) through an in-person, physical examination of the animal (patient) or by a medically appropriate and timely visit to the premises where the animal is kept. The bill allows a veterinarian to establish a VCPR through telehealth. An in-person, physical examination of the patient or visit to the premises is not necessary, and the veterinarian may establish the VCPR through an electronic examination using synchronous audio-video based communication technology. The bill clarifies the definition of "telehealth" and changes references throughout current law from "telemedicine" to "telehealth". Under current law, a licensed veterinarian is prohibited from prescribing drugs to a patient through telehealth unless the veterinarian has conducted an in-person, physical examination of the patient. The bill removes that requirement and permits a veterinarian to prescribe drugs to a patient through telehealth as long as the veterinarian has established a VCPR and follows certain requirements. However, the bill still requires an in-person, physical examination of the patient in order to prescribe the patient a controlled substance or an antimicrobial for longer than 14 days. The bill removes the requirement under current law that a veterinarian who uses telehealth be available in person at a veterinary premises that is accessible to the client and patient for follow-up evaluations. The bill also repeals a provision in current law that prohibits a veterinary specialist to whom a patient has been referred from prescribing medication to the patient unless that veterinary specialist has established a VCPR through an in-person, physical examination of the patient. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

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