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CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — More doctors soon could treat patients in Wyoming after the state became the first to sign an agreement that aims to make it easier to practice medicine across state lines.
The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact seeks to create a fast-track process for physicians to become licensed in another state that is part of the deal, the Wyoming Tribune Eagle reported Sunday (http://bit.ly/1CQXzWM ). The compact would take effect when seven states have signed on.
South Dakota has joined, and the Montana Legislature appears close to passing its bill. Similar measures have been introduced in Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Nebraska and 10 other states.
The compact would make more specialists available via telemedicine or as visiting doctors, said Kevin Bohnenblust, executive director of the Wyoming Board of Medicine.
Right now, many patients have to travel to neighboring states for certain treatments.
"Wyoming is so small that we just can't support large numbers of highly specialized physicians," Bohnenblust said.
Approving a license for an out-of-state physician in Wyoming now can take several months and require Board of Medicine approval at one of its quarterly meetings. Through the compact, the time could drop to days.
That could result in a 10 percent increase in the 400 or so board-approved licenses each year, Bohnenblust said.
State boards of medicine would still be able to decide for themselves who could practice in their state, said Humayun Chaudhry, president and CEO of the Federation of State Medical Boards.
"The commission won't be issuing licenses or investigating physicians," he said. "The basic functions of state medical boards would fully be retained."
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Information from: Wyoming Tribune Eagle, http://www.wyomingnews.com
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