Medical board would process some physician licenses within 30 days

The medical board would grant an expedited license and process the application within 30 days. This covers qualified physicians licensed in another state, U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or a foreign country. The applicant must hold a current license in good standing. The applicant must have practiced medicine or osteopathy for at least three years before applying. The applicant must file the application and pay any required fee. The board may require an examination before renewal when the prior licensing jurisdiction did not require one. The board would process the application no later than 30 days after receiving the application and required fee.

The medical board would create and manage a registry for out-of-state physicians who provide telehealth. The registry would cover physicians who are not licensed in New Mexico and provide electronic health care to patients located in New Mexico. A physician must hold a full, unrestricted license in another U.S. state or territory. The physician must have no revoked or restricted license, must not open an office or treat patients while physically in New Mexico, must appoint a registered agent, maintain liability insurance, and pay applicable fees. A registered physician must report license restrictions or disciplinary actions within five business days. The board could suspend or revoke registration for violations or disciplinary problems. A physician could provide telehealth to a New Mexico patient after registering with the board; the text states no separate effective date.

The medical board would charge an annual telehealth registration fee of no more than $100. The fee would apply to physicians registering to provide telehealth under the proposed registry. The fee would be nonrefundable. The fee would be used by the board to carry out its duties. The text does not state when the annual fee would first apply.

The measure would repeal Section 61-6-11.1 of the Medical Practice Act. The repeal concerns the section identified as Laws 2001, Chapter 96, Section 10, as amended. The text does not state a separate effective date for the repeal.