Rhode Island law lets vets start care through live video

Veterinarians may start a client-patient relationship through a live video visit. This applies to veterinarians and clients in Rhode Island. The veterinarian must hold a Rhode Island license, get the client's spoken consent, and keep the required records for at least one year. The client must acknowledge that the same care standards apply to video and in-person visits. Veterinarians must meet the standards for in-person care and use professional judgment to decide whether video care is suitable.

Veterinarians may prescribe medicine after starting a client-patient relationship by video, within limits. These limits apply to prescriptions based on a video-based client-patient relationship. An initial prescription based on video may cover no more than 30 days. A prescription may be renewed for no more than 30 days without another video or in-person exam. After one renewal based only on video exams, another renewal requires an in-person exam. A veterinarian may prescribe a controlled substance only after an in-person exam or medically appropriate, timely visits to where the animal is kept.

Veterinary telemedicine providers must display their services and standard charges on their websites. This applies to each provider offering veterinary telemedicine services. The display must be consumer-friendly and easy to find. Video services remain subject to state rules on what veterinary providers may do.