Committee advances optometrist-telehealth rules amid continuity-of-care concerns

The Senate Workforce Development Committee voted to give a do-pass recommendation to an optometrist licensure measure after committee members discussed telehealth eye care, continuity of care, and consumer protection concerns.

Committee members said telehealth offers lower-cost access for some patients but questioned whether a remote exam can reliably identify conditions that require in-person follow-up. One senator said, "The biggest advantage is that people use the telehealth because it's like $25 versus a hundred if you went into a physical one. But, are you really getting a thorough exam? You might just be getting a prescription, they're not really checking for all the other things."

Several senators argued for an in-state presence or affiliation so out-of-state providers offering teleoptometry would still be connected to local referral networks. A senator explained the in-state-affiliation approach this way: out-of-state providers "just have to be affiliated with an office that has that in state presence so that they can still have that accountability with North Dakota providers and an in person option if something needs to be elevated and the knowledge of referrals for that continuity of care within North Dakota."

A senator framed a consumer-protection rationale: "People think they're paying $20, they get a prescription that's off, they go purchase glasses ... and then potentially could create more challenges." Others said telehealth may be most appropriate for routine follow-ups after an in-person baseline exam.

After discussion the committee moved and seconded a do-pass recommendation. The clerk opened the roll and recorded affirmative votes from Senators Wabamaw, Axman, Larson, Bosche and Powers, advancing the measure to the full Senate.

Votes at a glance: Optometrist licensure (HB 1267) — committee action: do pass recommendation. Vote: 5–0 (Wabamaw, Axman, Larson, Bosche, Powers — yes).