Romania permanently regulates telemedicine

Romania enacted Government Emergency Ordinance no. 196/2020, amending the law on healthcare reform and introducing a general legal framework for telemedicine applicable to anyone in Romania seeking remote medical care. The new law states that all healthcare professionals can provide telemedicine using information technologies to exchange valid information for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases and injuries, as well as for research, evaluation, and providing ongoing care. The law established six categorisations of telemedicine: teleconsultation, tele-expertise, telecare, teleradiology (i.e. radiology and remote medical imaging), telepathology, and telemonitoring. Romania’s health ministry has 45 days to introduce secondary legislation that addresses critical aspects of telemedicine, such as those related to medical specialities as well as a list of services that will be covered by telemedicine.