In the rapidly evolving landscape of virtual healthcare, understanding the legal intricacies is paramount. A recent article by Nathaniel Lacktman in Fierce Healthcare highlights the potential legal challenges physicians may face when providing virtual second opinions (VSOs), particularly concerning state medical licensing requirements. Sidestepping these regulations can lead to serious repercussions, including claims of unlicensed practice of medicine. At Baton Health, we are committed to supporting healthcare providers in navigating these complexities. Our partnership with The Clinic by Cleveland Clinic exemplifies this dedication. By powering their license verification processes, we ensure that their network of over 3,500 specialists can deliver virtual second opinions confidently and compliantly. As the demand for virtual second opinions continues to grow, it’s crucial for healthcare organizations to prioritize compliance with state licensing laws. Implementing robust license verification systems not only safeguards against legal pitfalls but also upholds the standard of care patients deserve. Baton Health is proud to support the growth of telehealth responsibly, ensuring that innovation in patient care is matched with unwavering adherence to legal and ethical standards. #innovation #healthcarecredentialing #licenseverification #batonhealth
Chair of Telemedicine & Digital Health Industry Team at Foley & Lardner; Board Member at American Telemedicine Association
“The real risk of delivering virtual second opinions (VSOs) without following medical licensure rules is borne by the individual doctor rendering the VSO.” In most states, the unlicensed practice of medicine is a criminal offense, which means malpractice insurance may likely deny coverage. And if a doctor faces disciplinary action in a state where he or she is not licensed, the doctor may be required to report that to all the states where the doctor is licensed—and every one of those states will likely file reciprocal disciplinary actions like an unfortunate game of dominos. 😬 #telehealth #telemedicine #digitalhealth #secondopinions Foley & Lardner LLP American Telemedicine Association Center for Connected Health Policy
