Healthcare (Telehealth)

AB 183 revises Nevada's optometry licensing and practice regulations to enhance public safety and clarify professional standards. It establishes that optometry licenses are "revocable privileges," allowing the Nevada State Board of Optometry to quickly suspend licenses without court delays in specific cases (e.g., public safety risks). The bill clarifies that optometry practice includes telemedicine, specifies which non-analgesic drugs optometrists may prescribe, and updates requirements for glaucoma certification (accepting diagnoses from out-of-state ophthalmologists) and license endorsements from other states. These changes directly affect licensed optometrists, the Board, and patients, modernizing rules while maintaining patient safety safeguards.

AB 337 creates two new programs to improve dementia care in Nevada. It requires the Aging and Disability Services Division to establish a dementia care specialist program providing crisis intervention, home-based support, and translation services for people with dementia and their families. The bill also authorizes UNLV and UNR medical schools to create the Nevada Memory Network, establishing clinics to train primary care providers in dementia screening, diagnosis, and care planning using telehealth. These programs aim to help individuals with dementia remain in their homes or with family instead of moving to long-term care facilities, with implementation dependent on available funding.

SB 186 requires Nevada medical facilities and providers using generative artificial intelligence (AI) to create written or verbal communications about a patient’s clinical care to include two specific elements: a clear disclaimer stating the communication was AI-generated, and instructions on how to contact a real provider for assistance. It specifies where disclaimers must appear (e.g., prominently at the start of written messages, throughout chat-based telehealth, or at both ends of audio calls). Communications reviewed and approved by a healthcare provider before sharing with patients are exempt from these requirements. The law applies to all medical facilities and providers covered under Nevada’s existing healthcare regulations, with enforcement through standard disciplinary actions for noncompliance.

SB 353 creates a new billing category and establishes a single per diem reimbursement rate for specific mental health clinics serving Medicaid patients. It directly affects clinics that both provide mental health care primarily to Medicaid enrollees and train students in licensed mental health professions (like psychology, social work, or substance use counseling). The bill requires Medicaid to cover all service locations under this rate - including in-person visits, mobile clinics, services to homeless individuals, and telehealth. This change aims to streamline billing for clinics meeting these dual criteria, with implementation required by October 1, 2025.