When medicine is practiced through an app installed on a mobile device, do different rules apply? How does the law regulate telemedicine via the app, and the app itself? Mobile Apps as a Telemedicine Platform In one sense, mobile apps are simply another platform for the delivery of telemedicine services. That is, instead of doctors and other healthcare providers connecting with patients via the Internet on a desktop or laptop,
Privacy, confidentiality, and security issues arise when practicing telehealth or telemedicine just as they do in a brick-and-mortar practice. It’s especially important to understand these issues, since many clinicians advertise on their website that they are “HIPAA compliant.” Does HIPAA Apply Stated in the most basic terms, HIPAA applies to use and disclosure of protected health information (“PHI”), if transactions are billed electronically for third-party reimbursement. Given that there are
How do healthcare practitioners handle standard of care issues when diagnosing and treating from a distance? Standard of Care Identical The key rule is that the standard of care in telemedicine is identical to the standard of care in an in-person office visit. For example, the Virginia Board of Medicine, in its policy statement on telemedicine, states: “These guidelines should not be construed to alter the scope of practice of
When it comes to persuasion, Greek philosopher Aristotle set the gold standard in 350 BCE. Aristotle’s modes of persuasion have stood the test of time, and can be applied to various aspects of your communication efforts today to best engage patients, clients, and prospects. Whether you are creating a talk, essay, or website content, Aristotle’s signature approach remains authentic and powerfully effective, even some 2,000 years later. Aristotle’s rhetorical savvy
The law handles telemedicine prescription differently than diagnosing and treating remotely. How can you best comply? Prescribing is Different Than Other Treatment This is a tricky thing about telemedicine law; you need to read the statutes carefully and see whether they say something specific about “prescribing,” as opposed to “diagnosis” and “treatment.” Normally, state laws and/or medical board regulations are tougher on remote prescribing because of the abuses associated with
Every new integrative health and medicine enterprise and organization should have a well-researched and well-written business plan. In this post I walk you through the key elements of a business plan, and the essentials on which to focus, based on your approach to financing. But first, how are you funding your startup or expansion? Your primary options are investors, bank loans, or self-funding. Let’s take a look.
What is the difference between telehealth and telemedicine, and simply delivering educational tools online? Can practitioners offer webinars and other online health informational services without being subject to laws governing both the practice of medicine and other healthcare professions? Dealing with Antiquated Laws and Modern Corrections Healthcare providers who move beyond a brick-and-mortar physical practice often find themselves in a legal gray zone, wondering whether they are compliant, or even
Because telehealth and telemedicine often involve practice across state lines, healthcare practitioners must understand the state laws which allow practice in situations where the healthcare provider is licensed in his or her own state (but not the patient’s). Note: there’s another version of telemedicine that involves a medical doctor in the same state, providing services remotely to underserved populations. This isn’t where the licensing issues arise. In this Series, particularly
Healthcare providers everywhere are looking to expand from a brick-and-mortar practice to one that includes online and mobile patient services. Does this describe you? Broadly speaking, we call online and mobile health ‘telehealth’ or ‘telemedicine’. To keep things understandable, we’ll use these terms interchangeably, unless we’re referencing a specific rule of law that defines the term and applies particular requirements to its practice. The types of clinicians who want to
All information contained on this website is intended for informational and educational purposes only, and is not intended nor suited to be a replacement or substitute for professional medical treatment or for professional medical advice relative to a specific medical question or condition.
The Rise of Integrative Health & Medicine
By Glenn Sabin and Taylor Walsh
We will also send you the best of our blog—The Business of Integrative Health & Medicine.