On June 29, 2020, Governor Bill Lee issued Executive Order 50 which extends the state of emergency related to the COVID-19 crisis until August 29, 2020. To help facilitate the treatment and containment of COVID-19, the order also extends health-care related provisions from Executive Order No. 36 and Executive Order No. 38 until August 29, 2020. More specifically, Executive Order 50 does the following:

Out-Of-State Health Care Providers

  • Out-of-state health care providers may continue to practice in Tennessee if assisting in the medical response to COVID-19, including treating routine or other medical conditions.

Pharmacists

  • Pharmacists may dispense up to a 90-day supply of maintenance prescriptions without proper authorization to persons as to respond to and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
  • Pharmacy technicians and pharmacists may complete computer-based processing of prescriptions at alternative locations, including from the residence of the pharmacy technician or pharmacist.
  • No restrictions on the ratio of pharmacy technicians to pharmacists while this Order is in effect.

Increased Availability of Home Health Services.

  • Health care professionals who would otherwise be subject to licensing requirements may provide localized treatment of patients in temporary residences.

Health Care Licenses, Certificates, and Registrations Extended until August 31, 2020

  • Health care professionals have until August 31, 2020 to renew any license, certificate, or registration set to expire between March 12, 2020, and August 31, 2020. Each professional may continue to legally operate or practice their profession.

Retired Medical Professionals

  • Retired medical professionals who have been out of practice may continue to practice without the usual requirements.

Inspections

  • Laboratory inspections are suspended to allow for immediate COVID-19 testing.
  • Inspections of pain management clinics are suspended.

Telemedicine Access

  • All licensed health care providers may practice telemedicine regardless of the provider's authority to diagnose.
  • Health care professionals licensed in another state who are authorized pursuant to this Order to temporarily practice in this state may engage in telemedicine services with patients in Tennessee.
  • Health insurance carriers are urged to provide coverage for the delivery of clinically appropriate, medically necessary covered services via telemedicine to all providers, irrespective of network status or originating site.
  • Pain management clinics may provide telemedicine services in the case of chronic nonmalignant pain treatment.

Increase Access to COVID-19 Treatment and Testing

  • Laboratory inspections are suspended to allow for immediate COVID-19 testing.
  • Health insurance carriers encouraged to identify and remove any burdens to responding to COVID-19 and improve access to treatment options and medically necessary screening and testing for COVID-19.

The full text of Executive Order No. 50 can be found at https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/pub/execorders/exec-orders-lee50.pdf.

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