Ask the Experts

Featured Practice Question

Can NPs conduct a telehealth visit if the patient is calling from out of state or out of the country?

Unless you are licensed to practice in the state where the patient lives, you should be cautious in providing care for patients outside of California. Even with the COVID-19 crisis, every state still requires registration or application specific to that state; several states did not change their licensing requirements.

Additionally, you need to check with your liability company to confirm they will cover your practice in a different state – even if you are licensed there. Finally, you must be aware of the practice guidelines and regulations related to NP practice in another state.

Featured Legal Question

Is the medical director of a company liable for any NP they direct if the NP is sued and the patient does not have a primary care physician?

The medical director is not usually held responsible unless they instructed the provider what to do and it was wrong, or if they hired a provider that was not qualified or had been disciplined in the past. If the NP is the only one taking care of the patient, the NP will be held liable. Usually it is routine to ask if the patient has a PCP so that the patient can be referred back or they can get information from the PCP. 


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