Rules governing telemedicine in Montana for prescribing medical marijuana are changing. Patients interested in getting a medical marijuana evaluation conducted in the privacy of their own home, or location of their choosing, can access it via a secure real-time, live-video connection here: https://www.marijuanadoctors.com/medical-marijuana-doctors/medical-marijuana-telemedicine-portal/
The State of Montana defines telemedicine as the provision of healthcare services, by means of real-time interactive audio, video or telecommunications technology — including, but not limited to, store-and-forward technology — between a health care practitioner and patient, each situated at different geographical locations.
In Montana, there is no specific set of practice standard requirements, defined by law, however, the law does require that telemedicine practice standards be reflective, of the in-person service requirements.
In 2013, Montana legislature enacted parity laws, requiring Montana Medicaid, state health employee plans, and private payers alike, to recognize and reimburse telemedicine services, at the same rates as the equivalent health care service provided in-person.
As per the Montana Medical Board, health care practitioners providing telemedicine services, are required to adhere to the same standard of professional conduct and practice, as healthcare practitioners of the same practice or specialty, providing services in-person — at this time, there is no specific reference to internet prescribing, in the state policies.
Montana requires all health care practitioners providing telemedicine services, to first establish a physician-patient relationship with a patient, prior to providing a diagnosis or treatment — however, telemedicine may be used to satisfy this requirement.
Montana requires all out-of-state health care practitioners, intending to provide telemedicine services to patients geographically situated in the state of Montana, must first obtain a valid medical license, from the Montana Medical Board, prior to commencing service — however, physician-to-physician (P2P) exemptions apply.
HIPAA is a federal law that protects the privacy of identifiable patient information, requires electronic and physical security standards related to the storage and use of PHI, and establishes standard transactions and code sets to simplify billing and other electronic transactions. HIPAA standards were updated in 2009 by the implementation of the HITECH Act and again in 2013 by the HIPAA Omnibus Rule. In accordance with HIPAA standards, MarijuanaDoctors.com is HITECH and BAA certified, and has put in place measures to protect the confidentiality of health information in any form, whether written, oral, or electronic.
