Kentucky Telehealth Laws

Does Kentucky have a telehealth registration for out-of-state clinicians?

Kentucky has no telehealth registration for out-of-state physicians, NPs or PAs. A physician treating a patient in Kentucky needs a Kentucky license or a compact pathway. The telehealth permits CCHP lists for Kentucky belong to other professions.

• No telehealth-specific registration: a clinician needs the full license or an exception.

Citation: KRS 311.560; KRS 211.336(2)(f)

When can an out-of-state clinician treat Kentucky patients without a Kentucky license?

A nonresident physician licensed in their home state may infrequently see particular Kentucky patients in consultation with a Kentucky-licensed physician. Agencies may not bar care to a nonresident who is temporarily in Kentucky from a clinician credentialed in that patient's home state.

• Exception for consultation with a licensed physician

Citation: KRS 311.560(2); KRS 211.336(2)(i)-(j)

Can a patient relationship start by telehealth in Kentucky?

State agencies may not require a provider to be physically present with the patient unless the provider decides an in-person service is medically necessary. Kentucky's telehealth definition covers synchronous, asynchronous, remote monitoring and audio-only encounters.

Citation: KRS 211.332; KRS 211.336(2)(a)

Does Kentucky require telehealth consent?

A treating physician who provides telehealth must make sure the patient, or a person authorized to decide for the patient, gives informed consent before services begin. The statute does not prescribe a form.

• Consent required

Citation: KRS 311.5975(1)(a); 900 KAR 12:005

What limits does Kentucky put on prescribing by telehealth?

Prescribing in response to an electronic request is unprofessional conduct unless the physician verifies identity, makes a documented diagnosis and keeps a current record. An online or telephone questionnaire is inadequate for the initial evaluation or any follow-up.

• Questionnaire-only prescribing is prohibited
• For KRS Chapter 218A, the "good-faith prior examination" must be in person, and the definition states that "in-person" includes telehealth examinations.

Citation: KRS 311.597(1)(e); KRS 218A.010

Does Kentucky require its own controlled-substance registration?

Do private payers in Kentucky have to cover telehealth?

• Private-payer telehealth coverage law
• Explicit payment parity

Citation: KRS 304.17A-138

How does Kentucky treat the corporate practice of medicine?

Does Kentucky have a consumer health data law?

In effect since Jan. 1, 2026. Health data is sensitive data that needs opt-in consent to process. HIPAA-covered entities and protected health information are exempt, so it mainly reaches marketing and non-HIPAA data flows.

• Kentucky Consumer Data Protection Act (KRS 367.3611 to 367.3629)