Lawsuit Challenges New Jersey Telehealth Licensing Law

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1/31/2024

The State of New Jersey is facing a lawsuit in federal court claiming that New Jersey’s out-of-state telehealth licensing law violates the constitutional rights of New Jersey residents seeking access to virtual care from out-of-state providers. Under New Jersey law, a practitioner must hold a New Jersey professional license in order to provide professional services for a patient in New Jersey, including via telehealth. During the COVID-19 pandemic, New Jersey, along with numerous other states, temporarily waived license requirements for out-of-sate providers, allowing practitioners who are licensed in another state but not in New Jersey to provide telehealth services to New Jersey residents. New Jersey rescinded many of these waivers following the expiration of the COVID-19 public health emergency.

The lawsuit was filed by several out-of-state specialist providers who do not hold New Jersey licenses and several of their patients who are New Jersey residents who began receiving telehealth care from the providers for chronic and/or serious conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the plaintiffs, New Jersey’s telehealth laws restricting access to out-of-state providers violates the Dormant Commerce Clause and Privileges and Immunities Clause of the United States Constitution by placing an administrative and financial burden on physicians, especially specialists like plaintiff physicians, who have national practices and only occasionally treat patients from New Jersey. The plaintiffs also allege that the restrictions violate the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution by compelling patients to choose between frequent, costly travel for consultations or forgoing essential treatment.

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For more information, contact:
Carol Grelecki | 973.403.3140 | cgrelecki@bracheichler.com
Richard Robins | 973.447.9663 | rrobins@bracheichler.com
Harshita Rathore | 973.364.8393 | hrathore@bracheichler.com

*This is intended to provide general information, not legal advice. Please contact the authors if you need specific advice.

Carol Grelecki

Member
Healthcare Law, Cannabis Industry

973.403.3140 · 973.618.5540 Fax

Richard B. Robins

Member
Healthcare Law, Litigation

973.447.9663 · 973.618.5977 Fax

Related Practices:   Healthcare Law

Related Attorney:   Carol Grelecki, Richard B. Robins

Related Industry:   Healthcare