Telemedicine is the use of telecommunications technologies to provide remote medical care. It can be used for a variety of purposes, such as providing video consultations between providers and patients, or allowing physicians to examine patients in their offices. Providers who specialize in telemedicine prescribe controlled substances (prescription drugs) remotely. The following general questions should guide your approach to prescribing controlled substances remotely: Does your state have laws or rules that govern the remote prescribing of controlled substances by telemedicine specialists? If so, what are those laws and rules? What restrictions does your state place on remote prescribing of controlled substances by telemedicine specialists? Are there any specific concerns regarding the remote prescribing of controlled substances? When you consider whether it makes sense to implement a telemedicine programme for prescribing controlled substances, keep in mind these questions: Is there a need for your practice to centrally manage prescriptions electronically and securely? What is the legal risk associated with taking this step? Are you aware of any software solutions that help streamline prescription management processes like electronic storage, retrieval and tracking of medications? How can you reduce risks associated with prescription writing while maintaining efficiency in patient care?

Can telemedicine prescribe controlled substances?

The answer to this question is yes. Telemedicine prescribes controlled substances. Even with the ability to prescribe controlled substances remotely, there are laws and rules that govern the practice. These laws and rules restrict the use of telemedicine for prescribing controlled substances. Most states place restrictions on the type of patients who can be prescribed controlled substances by a telemedicine specialist, or limit how many prescriptions a telemedicine specialist can write per day. There are also concerns about legal liabilities associated with prescribing controlled substances remotely. These concerns involve liability stemming from care transferred, personal liability as well as professional liability (lack of malpractice insurance).

Is there a need for your practice to centrally manage prescriptions electronically and securely?

If you are considering a telemedicine prescription programme for prescribing controlled substances, it is important to consider the benefits and legal risk associated with taking this step. There are many benefits to centralising prescriptions electronically, such as improved patient safety and accuracy of medication administration. However, there are significant legal risks involved in doing so that should be considered when deciding whether or not it makes sense to implement a telemedicine prescription programme.
In the United States, physicians who prescribe controlled substances must keep adequate records of prescriptions they write and must maintain an up-to-date list of all medications that they have prescribed. If you write prescriptions remotely out of state without maintaining these records on hand, you could run into serious legal issues. For example, if your patients see their doctor at another practice or receive their prescription from an online pharmacy, your patients may be unable to prove that they received their medication from you. This could result in the suspension or revocation of your license to prescribe controlled substances.

What is the legal risk associated

with taking this step?
There are specific laws governing the prescribing of controlled substances by telemedicine specialists. To name a few, in some jurisdictions, it may be illegal to prescribe controlled substances without the physician’s presence. In others, if the patient is not physically present for their consultation with a telemedicine specialist, then it will be considered an unauthorized prescription. Telemedicine specialists cannot dispense controlled substances without a written prescription or other documentation from their primary care physicians.

Are you aware of any software solutions that help streamline prescription management processes like electronic storage, retrieval and tracking of medications?

This is a difficult question to answer. It is impossible to prescribe controlled substances without electronic storage, retrieval and tracking of medications.
There are many software solutions that can be used by different providers to help streamline prescription management processes like electronic storage, retrieval and tracking of medications.
#1 Electronic Storage
Electronic storage is the ability to store prescriptions electronically in a safe place for providers, patients or pharmacies that potentially includes: HIPAA-compliant data encryption; document security features; remote uploading of scanned documents; file-based management of all prescriptions.
#2 Remote Uploading
Remote uploading refers to the ability to upload prescriptions remotely from certain locations like medical facilities, pharmacies, practitioners’ offices and patients’ homes. This allows for the secure transfer of paper documents from one location or person onto an electronic platform for storage or instant viewing. #3 File-Based Management
File-based management typically refers to the capability for providers and patients alike to create individual profiles on a dashboard which contains their personal information such as billing address, member ID number and prescription history which can then be accessed at any time. Here are some examples of how these technologies can be implemented:
* Electronic storage (e.g., HIPAA-compliant data encryption)
* Document security features
* Remote uploading (e.g., scanning documents)
* File-based management (e.g., individual profiles)

How can you reduce risks associated with prescription writing while maintaining efficiency in patient care?

Prescription writing can be dangerous if the wrong patient is prescribed the wrong drug. To reduce the risk of that happening, it’s important to ensure that your staff are properly trained in the safe use and handling of controlled substances. Additionally, you should have a well-established policy for prescription management that includes checking prescriptions against existing medical records and prescribing medications only for patients who have been deemed appropriate for them.

Caution: State Laws and Regulations For Remote Prescribing
Many states have laws governing telemedicine prescribing of controlled substances. These restrictions will vary from state to state, but some common rules include:
* Only practitioners with certain qualifications or certifications can prescribe or dispense controlled substances remotely;
* Prescriptions must be prescribed in compliance with federal law; * Controlled substances must be prescribed according to guidelines established by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM); * Prescription drugs cannot be delivered by mail order; and * Rules vary depending on what type of practice is involved– such as whether a specialist or general practitioner.

Should telemedicine services be outsourced or in-house?

The answer to this question is not straightforward. The decision will depend on the risk associated with taking certain steps, such as remotely prescribing controlled substances, and how easy it would be to implement these procedures in-house. For example, if your practice requires the use of telemedicine services for prescription management, you should consider in-house operations or outsourcing the process. If your practice doesn’t require this service, outsourcing might not make sense.
This decision should be made depending on the risks associated with using telemedicine services and how easily they can be implemented in-house, as well as whether they are needed at all.

Bottom line

As a telemedicine provider, it is important to understand your state’s laws and rules governing the prescribing of controlled substances. If you are not familiar with these laws and rules, consult an attorney who specializes in these matters.