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At this time, Pennsylvania does not have any specific regulations pertaining to the practice, of telehealth/telemedicine — healthcare practitioners are simply obligated under Section 41 of the Medical Practice Act (63 P.S. 422.41), to “adhere to accepted standards of practice”. However, there is legislation pending — House Bill 491 — addressing the state’s parity law, and requirements for the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, that would essentially define and regulate the practice of telehealth, in Pennsylvania.
Once effective, the parity law would require Pennsylvania private payers, to reimburse telemedicine/telehealth services at the same rates, as the equivalent services performed in-person — at this time, Pennsylvania Medicare reimburses for live-video services, only.
On October 06, 2015, Pennsylvania introduced potential legislation that would allow the state to join the Interstate Medical Licensing Compact, expediting a pathway to licensure for qualified physicians, wishing to practice telemedicine in multiple states.
All out-of-state health care practitioners residing or practicing in a neighboring state — based on regional availability of services and policies of neighboring states — are required to obtain an extraterritorial telemedicine license, prior to commencing service. The state does not permit licensure exemption, for physician-to-physician out-of-state consultations.
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.
