Center for Telehealth and E-Health Law

Center for Telehealth & E-Health Law
Abbreviation	CTeL
Formation	1995
Type	non-profit organization
Purpose	overcome legal and regulatory barriers of telehealth and e-health services

The Center for Telehealth & E-Health Law (CTeL), established in 1995 by a consortium including the Mayo Foundation, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Texas Children's Hospital, and the Mid-West Rural Telemedicine Consortium, is a non-profit organization committed to overcoming legal and regulatory barriers to the utilization of telehealth and related e-health services.^[1] CTeL, based in Washington, D.C., specializes in compiling, analyzing and disseminating information on legal and regulatory issues information associated with telemedicine and digital health, including artificial intelligence. It also handles underlying issues such as licensure, privacy and security, mental and behavioral health, and reimbursement.

CTeL briefs public policymakers, sponsors and funds research reports, and provides testimony in support of telehealth and the advancement of digital health. CTeL supports the expansion of telehealth and digital health services to improve patient safety and access to services.

CTeL's AI Blue Ribbon Collaborative

CTeL offers a variety of services, including involvement in public policy, research, event coordination, education, and collaboration. Recently, CTeL launced regional chapters and an AI Blue Ribbon Collaborative. The AI Blue Ribbon Collaborative is a pioneering initiative that assembles a distinguished panel of experts to act as an independent resource for clinical and legal questions regarding the use of AI.

CTeL Policy Research Fellowship

CTeL also offers a Policy Research Fellowship. The CTeL Policy Research Fellowship is a prestigious, multidisciplinary program designed for emerging leaders and scholars who are passionate about shaping the future of telehealth through innovative research and policy analysis. This fellowship offers a unique opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research at the intersection of legal, regulatory, policy, and data science, with the goal of advancing telehealth practices and policies on a national and global scale. Fellows will delve into the complex legal and regulatory frameworks that govern telehealth, exploring key issues such as licensure, reimbursement, privacy, and interstate practice. The program also emphasizes policy development, offering fellows the chance to contribute to the creation of policies that enhance access to and the quality of telehealth services. Additionally, fellows will leverage data science to analyze trends, outcomes, and the impact of telehealth on public health, providing evidence-based insights to inform decision-making.

In 2004, CTeL was recognized by the United States Department of Commerce: "[The] progress there has been in resolving such issues can be attributed to a very recent and concentrated effort by such stakeholders as... Center for Telemedicine Law, and the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth (OAT), within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)." – Innovation, Demand, & Investment in Telehealth, US Commerce Department, Feb. 2004.