Us Code § 1709A - Teleconsultation

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 1709A — Teleconsultation, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 1709A. Teleconsultation

(a) Teleconsultation.—(1) The Secretary shall carry out an initiative of teleconsultation for the provision of remote mental health and traumatic brain injury assessments in facilities of the Department that are not otherwise able to provide such assessments without contracting with third-party providers or reimbursing providers through a fee basis system.

(2) The Secretary shall, in consultation with appropriate professional societies, promulgate technical and clinical care standards for the use of teleconsultation services within facilities of the Department.

(3) In carrying out an initiative under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall ensure that facilities of the Department are able to provide a mental health or traumatic brain injury assessment to a veteran through contracting with a third-party provider or reimbursing a provider through a fee basis system when—

(A) such facilities are not able to provide such assessment to the veteran without—

(i) such contracting or reimbursement; or

(ii) teleconsultation; and


(B) providing such assessment with such contracting or reimbursement is more clinically appropriate for the veteran than providing such assessment with teleconsultation.


(b) Teleconsultation Defined.—In this section, the term "teleconsultation" means the use by a health care specialist of telecommunications to assist another health care provider in rendering a diagnosis or treatment.

(Added Pub. L. 112–154, title I, §108(a)(1), Aug. 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 1174.)

About This Section

38 U.S.C. § 1709A is part of Title 38 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 38 U.S.C. § 1709A. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 1709A

What does United States Code § 1709A cover?

Section 1709A ("Teleconsultation") is part of the United States Code, the codified statutory law of Us Code. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Us Code § 1709A?

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Is this the official text of Us Code law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Us Code official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Us Code attorney.

How does Us Code § 1709A apply to my situation?

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Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Us Code.