Para adoptar la “Ley de Telesalud Mental de Puerto Rico” a los fines de reglamentar, atemperar y garantizar cumplimiento con la política pública sobre los servicios de salud mental en Puerto Rico haciéndola extensiva al ofrecimiento de servicios de prevención, promoción de la salud, evaluación, diagnóstico, intervenciones terapéuticas, consultoría, educación y supervisión mediante el uso de la Tecnología Digital o Telecomunicaciones; establecer paridad en la remuneración por servicios provistos mediante telesalud mental; crear el Registro de Proveedores de Servicios de Telesalud mental para profesionales no residentes en Puerto Rico; derogar la Ley 48-2020, conocida como “Ley para Regular la Ciberterapia en Puerto Rico” y establecer la inclusión de profesiones afectadas por la derogación de la Ley 48-2020, supra, en la Ley 168-2018, según enmendada; y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

Puerto Rico establishes telemedicine mental health law with equal pay for remote services, registers non-resident providers, and replaces previous cybertherapy regulations.

Referido a Comisión(es)

Legislative bill overview

Bill PC 289 establishes Puerto Rico's "Mental Health Telemedicine Law" to regulate and standardize mental health services delivered through digital technology and telecommunications. The bill repeals the previous 2020 cybertherapy law, ensures equal payment for telemedicine versus in-person mental health services, and creates a registry for non-resident mental health providers offering services in Puerto Rico.

Why is this important

This legislation directly addresses mental health access in Puerto Rico by legalizing and formalizing telemedicine delivery methods, which became critical during the pandemic and remain essential for reaching underserved populations. By establishing payment parity and standardized regulations, the bill aims to expand affordable mental health services while protecting consumer safety through professional oversight.

Potential points of contention

Payment parity implementation: Insurers and healthcare systems may resist equal reimbursement rates for telemedicine versus in-person services, citing different operational costs

Non-resident provider regulation: Questions about licensing standards, liability, and quality control for out-of-island providers accessing the Puerto Rico market through the new registry

Repeal of Ley 48-2020: Existing regulations under the cybertherapy law may be inconsistent with this new framework, and some professionals previously regulated may face gaps in legal standing during transition