Vet Telehealth VS Federal Regulations: 2025 Outlook

Introduction

Vet telehealth has seen a surge in popularity, but federal regulations are still catching up.
In 2021, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) estimated that 93% of veterinarians had used telehealth in some capacity.
However, only 35% of states have specific regulations for vet telehealth, and the federal government has yet to issue any formal guidance.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates veterinary drugs and devices, but it does not have any specific regulations for vet telehealth.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces consumer protection laws, including those that apply to telehealth.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protects the privacy of patient health information, including telehealth records.

In 2022, the Veterinary Telemedicine Act (H.R. 4668) was introduced in the House of Representatives.
The bill would create a federal framework for vet telehealth, including provisions for licensure, prescribing, and recordkeeping.
The bill is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full House.

The vast majority of states do not have specific regulations for vet telehealth.
However, some states have adopted regulations through their veterinary boards or other agencies.
These regulations vary from state to state, but they typically address issues such as licensure, prescribing, and recordkeeping.

Licensure
Most states require veterinarians to be licensed in the state in which they practice.
However, some states have reciprocity agreements with other states, allowing veterinarians to practice in multiple states without obtaining a separate license in each state.
The Veterinary Telemedicine Act would create a national licensure system for vet telehealth, allowing veterinarians to practice in any state without obtaining a separate license in each state.
Prescribing
In most states, veterinarians must have a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) with a patient in order to prescribe medication.
A VCPR is established when a veterinarian has examined the patient in person and has a professional relationship with the client.
The Veterinary Telemedicine Act would allow veterinarians to prescribe medication based on a远程医疗咨询, even if they have not examined the patient in person.
Recordkeeping
Veterinarians are required to keep medical records for each patient.
These records must include information such as the patient’s medical history, diagnosis, treatment plan, and medication.
The Veterinary Telemedicine Act would require veterinarians to keep electronic medical records for all telehealth consultations.

The use of vet telehealth is expected to continue to grow in the coming years.
As more states adopt regulations for vet telehealth, the federal government is likely to follow suit.
The Veterinary Telemedicine Act is a step in the right direction, but it is only a first step.
The federal government needs to do more to ensure that vet telehealth is accessible to all pet owners.

Vet telehealth has the potential to revolutionize the way that veterinary care is delivered.
However, federal regulations are still lagging behind the rapid growth of this new technology.
The Veterinary Telemedicine Act is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to ensure that vet telehealth is accessible to all pet owners.