There's no doubt about it – Telehealth is booming. The American Hospital Association reports that almost 87% of hospitals offer telehealth services, and by one estimate, more than half of all Americans have participated in at least one telehealth visit, for medical or mental health needs. With the increasing availability of telehealth consultations, physicians, therapists, and other healthcare providers who provide telehealth consultations need to understand the licensing issues that telehealth can create. In particular, when a health care provider is located in one state and their remote patient is located in another, it is likely necessary that the health care provider be licensed in both states.

Ignoring this licensing issue can result in discipline, both in your home state and in your remote patient's state. The Lento Law Firm's Professional License Defense Team can help you make sure you meet the licensing requirements that are appropriate for the type of telehealth care you provide. Contact us at 888.535.3686 or by filling out our online contact form to schedule a confidential consultation with one of our experienced attorneys. We can help you understand what your licensing requirements are, and if you've been accused of misconduct because of a telehealth consultation, we can defend you against any charges that may result.

Telehealth's Unique Licensing Issues

The rise of telehealth consultations, where physicians, therapists, and other types of health care professionals may be thousands of miles away from the patients they are consulting with via a voice or video link, has created unique problems when it comes to state licensing. As anyone who holds a health care license knows, it takes a lot of time and effort just to secure a license for one state. Having to do this for multiple states, especially if you are working with a practice that can have patients anywhere in the country, could be a logistical nightmare.

Fortunately, many practice areas have multistate licensing compacts that can streamline the process of securing licenses in more than one state based on the license you hold in your home state. But not every state has joined every licensing compact – you need to check carefully when taking advantage of the compact that might apply to your particular practice area. Different licensing requirements may apply depending on the state your patient is in, which means you need to pay close attention to the location of a patient who may want to consult with you. If they are located in a state where you do not hold a license, you could be accused of misconduct by providing them with medical or mental health advice.

The Lento Law Firm Can Help Answer Your Licensing Questions

If you have questions about your multistate licensing requirements for telehealth consultations, contact the Lento Law Firm's Professional License Defense Team for help. Our experienced professionals understand the licensing requirements for health care practices of all types including physicians, psychologists, and nurses. We can help you make sure you are meeting the requirements for the states where your patients are located, and can work with you to apply for licenses where ones are needed.

In addition, if you are accused of misconduct, whether in your home state or in another state where a telehealth patient lives, the Lento Law Firm's Professional License Defense Team is here to protect your rights and to defend you against the allegations you're facing. To learn more about the many ways we can help you as a telehealth care provider, call us today at 888.535.3686 or fill out our contact form, and we will set up a confidential consultation with one of our experienced attorneys.

Your health care license is vital to your career and your future – let the Lento Law Firm's Professional License Defense Team help you protect it.