NORD supports robust access to telehealth services to benefit rare disease patients.
What is telehealth?
Telehealth uses telecommunication technologies to facilitate long-distance clinical health care, allowing patients and providers to exchange health information without being in the same physical location.
Why it matters for rare disease patients
A survey of rare disease patients and caregivers conducted by NORD in 2019 found that nearly 40% of respondents reported traveling more than 60 miles to receive their medical care.1 Comprehensive access to telehealth services can help reduce the significant barriers many rare disease patients face when seeking care from providers with expertise in their conditions.
The licensing barrier
Health care provider licensing is regulated on a state-by-state basis, creating barriers for physicians who care for patients who live in different states. Without solutions to this licensing challenge, rare disease patients may be unable to access out-of-state specialists through telehealth services.
What we’re measuring
Whether states participate in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC), which streamlines the licensing process for physicians practicing in multiple states.
How we grade
This measure uses a pass/fail methodology. States that participate in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact receive a passing grade, while states that do not participate receive a failing grade.
The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC)
To date, 40 states, Guam, and the District of Columbia have joined the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC), which streamlines the licensing process for physicians seeking to practice in multiple states. Florida joined the IMLC in 2024. NORD strongly encourages the remaining states to join the compact to increase patient access to physicians with expertise in rare diseases.
Important note
While participation in the IMLC is the sole factor assessed in this year’s State Report Card, NORD recognizes that expanding telehealth access for rare disease patients will require IMLC participation in addition to broader telehealth policy reforms.
NORD’s telehealth principles
In 2020, NORD developed comprehensive principles to guide engagement on telehealth policy, focused on four key areas:
Read NORD’s full telehealth principles →
Data sources & acknowledgements
This analysis tracks state participation in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC), a voluntary agreement that streamlines the medical licensure process for physicians who wish to practice across state lines. NORD gratefully acknowledges the IMLC Commission’s work in facilitating multi-state practice and making participation data publicly accessible.
For current IMLC participation status and detailed state information, visit the IMLC Commission website.
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