Expanding Access to Veterinary Telemedicine
THE ISSUE
All 50 states have laws that empower physicians to use telehealth to establish new doctor-patient relationships and treat patients, including babies and other nonverbal patients. Since 2018, the American Association of Veterinary State Boards has supported similarly establishing new veterinarian-client-patient-relationships (“VCPR”) via telehealth. However, Massachusetts law does not specifically enable veterinarians to use telehealth technology to establish a new treatment relationship, exacerbating access to veterinary care in the commonwealth.
The veterinary industry is facing a critical workforce shortage, and Massachusetts families and shelters are struggling to access healthcare for animals. Research demonstrates that at least a third of U.S. pets do not see a veterinarian regularly, often because their families confront significant obstacles to obtaining veterinary care such as transportation issues, finances, disability, or because they live in an underserved area. Especially when combined, these factors can force devoted pet owners to make difficult decisions to forgo basic preventive care, as well as pets’ urgent medical needs, or make the difficult decision to rehome or relinquish their pets.
EXISTING LAW
Massachusetts state law has not kept up with modern advancements in telemedicine, creating unnecessary barriers for pet owners, veterinarians, and animal shelters. Massachusetts law requires a veterinarian to establish a veterinary-client-patient relationship (VPCR) in-person.
Nine states allow a VCPR through telemedicine, serving 120 million Americans who live in jurisdictions that allow a relationship with a veterinarian to start virtually.
THE PROPOSAL – SD 3751
Telemedicine is a proven, safe, and convenient means for delivering healthcare. In the human healthcare field, telemedicine helps bridge care gaps created by workforce shortages and other barriers to healthcare. A clinic visit can be a serious barrier to care for many pet owners, and in many veterinary situations a physical exam may not be necessary, such as parasite prevention and treatment, ear issues, eye issues, hospice, nutritional or behavioral consultations, and more. Telehealth can address barriers and help open more doors to veterinary healthcare.
The Veterinary Care Accessibility Project identified multiple counties in MA as places where veterinary care is difficult to access, including Suffolk County where the largest concentration of MA population lives. Telemedicine can improve efficiency and reduce burnout for overwhelmed veterinarians. Hampden County also has a notable low score.
SD 3751, An Act Relative to Animal Telehealth empowers Massachusetts-licensed veterinarians to use real-time, audiovisual telehealth technology to establish a new provider-patient relationship, empowering veterinarians to serve more patients, including those who struggle to access care in a clinic. It enables veterinary telehealth within substantial safeguards, including the following: same standards of care via telehealth as in person; option to choose an in-person visit with a veterinarian at any time; guidance on follow-up care or assistance; privacy protections; records requirements; sound professional judgment; informed consent; prescription duration limitations of 14 days for antibiotics and six months for other prescriptions; prohibition on controlled substance prescribing via telehealth; and notification of prescription availability at local pharmacy.
States as politically distinct as California, Florida, Vermont, New Jersey, Arizona, Idaho, Ohio and Virginia have enacted similar legislation with broad bipartisan support. This bill will clarify and modernize state law to expand veterinary telehealth access across the geographic and economic spectrum in our state. This legislation will give veterinarians tools to reach more patients and help many more pets and their families access safe, convenient veterinary telehealth.
According to the Veterinary Virtual Care Association, the main reason pet owners are turning to virtual care services is for help in determining or dealing with symptoms of illnesses. There is no requirement that veterinarians use telemedicine and it does not replace in-person visits to veterinary clinics — but is a tool or resource when a pet owner cannot gain an appointment, travel to a clinic, or afford private veterinary care.
