Governor Greg Abbott is giving temporary approval to additional means of telemedicine so as to support social distancing during the outbreak. Patients have been using phone calls and video conferences to obtain routine medical care without going to the doctor's office. Abbott's new order allows phone calls to new patients to be used for diagnosis, prescriptions, treatment, and ordering tests. The order also allows the use of FaceTime calls for telemedicine purposes until the state disaster declaration expires or is lifted.
Photo: Governor Greg Abbott speaks during a press conference at the Texas State Capitol in Austin on March 29, 2020. (Getty Images)