Rule 30-2901-11.6 - Patient Relationships(a) The use of eye and vision telehealth services is not appropriate for establishing the doctor-patient relationship, for an initial diagnosis, as a replacement for recommended face-to-face interactions. It is therefore mandated that the doctor-patient relationship begin with an initial face-to-face encounter.(b) The standard of care must remain the same regardless of whether eye and vision telehealth services are provided in-person, remotely, via telehealth, or through any combination thereof. Doctors of optometry may not waive this obligation, or require patients to waive their right to receive the established standard of care in the state of Mississippi.(c) Eye and vision telehealth services cannot, based on current technologies and uses, replace an in-person comprehensive eye examination provided by an eye doctor. Eye and vision telehealth services provided must be consistent with and in compliance with existing rules and regulations of practice established in the State of Mississippi. In order to protect and insure patient safety, the Board recommends the use of only technology approved by the Food and Drug Administration, designed specifically for use in optometric care.(d) During telehealth encounters the patient must be in the presence of an onsite health provider.(e) An Established Treatment Site or distant site Mississippi licensed health care provider means a person licensed to provide health care to patients in Mississippi.(f) During telehealth encounters a Mississippi licensed optometrist must be present either onsite or distant site or both.30 Miss. Code. R. 2901-11.6