Illinois § 49.5

§ 49.5.

Telemedicine. (a) The General Assembly finds and declares that because of technological advances and changing practice patterns the practice of medicine is occurring with increasing frequency across state lines and across increasing geographical distances within the State of Illinois and that certain technological advances in the practice of medicine are in the public interest. The General Assembly further finds and declares that the practice of medicine is a privilege and that the licensure by this State of practitioners outside this State engaging in medical practice within this State and the ability to discipline those practitioners is necessary for the protection of the public health, welfare, and safety. (b) A person who engages in the practice of telemedicine without a license or permit issued under this Act shall be subject to penalties provided in Section 59. A person with a temporary permit for health care may treat a patient located in this State through telehealth services in a manner consistent with the person's scope of practice and agreement with a sponsoring entity. (c) For purposes of this Act, "telemedicine" means the performance of any of the activities listed in Section 49, including, but not limited to, rendering written or oral opinions concerning diagnosis or treatment of a patient in Illinois by a person in a different location than the patient as a result of transmission of individual patient data by telephonic, electronic, or other means of communication. "Telemedicine" does not include the following: (1) periodic consultations between a person licensed under this Act and a person outside the State of Illinois; (2) a second opinion provided to a person licensed under this Act; (3) diagnosis or treatment services provided to a patient in Illinois following care or treatment originally provided to the patient in the state in which the provider is licensed to practice medicine; and (4) health care services provided to an existing patient while the person licensed under this Act or patient is traveling. (d) Whenever the Department has reason to believe that a person has violated this Section, the Department may issue a rule to show cause why an order to cease and desist should not be entered against that person. The rule shall clearly set forth the grounds relied upon by the Department and shall provide a period of 7 days from the date of the rule to file an answer to the satisfaction of the Department. Failure to answer to the satisfaction of the Department shall cause an order to cease and desist to be issued immediately. (e) An out-of-state person providing a service listed in Section 49 to a patient residing in Illinois through the practice of telemedicine submits himself or herself to the jurisdiction of the courts of this State. (Source: P.A. 102-1117, eff. 1-13-23.)