September 3, 2018 In Uncategorized

Nursing and Telehealth

What Minnesota Nurses need to know about telehealth.

A recent trend in healthcare has seen the rise of telecommunication and information technology to provide clinical health care from a distance.  Telehealth, or telemedicine, allows care providers to keep their costs down while expanding the reach of their services.  Often, services can be offered far from the actual location of the care provider, even across state lines.

Traditionally, a nurse would have to be licensed in every state, in which they intended to practice.  However, under the NLC, to promote attracting outside services providers and reduce administrative burdens, many states have begun adopting Nurse Licensure Compacts (NLC)s as a modern solution to the problem of multistate licensure. NLCs allow Nurses to have one multistate license with authority to practice in person or via telehealth in remote compact member states.  Minnesota, however, has NOT adopted legislation to be part of the NLC. In addition, although some states may honor the licenses from other NLCs states, nursing laws may be very different from state to state.  Lack of knowledge of the law, in a remote state, is no defense to breaking it.

Minnesota nurses, who engage in out of state telemedicine must first be permitted to practice in the state in which they intend to practice.  Failure to obtain the necessary licensures is a serious offense, which could result in action from both the Minnesota State Board of Nursing, as well as that of the remote state.

If you are a licensed nurse practitioner and have received notice of a complaint filed against you, you associated with telemedicine, or out of state practice violations will need an attorney who is knowledgeable in the controlling law and will keep you informed during the process. Do not panic, and take action today by contacting Attorney Fabian Hoffner.  With the support of an aggressive attorney on your side, you can be assured your license remains protected.

For a free consultation, call 612-206-3777 to learn about your options, your rights, and to have any questions you may have answered honestly and promptly.