Indiana Healthcare & Telehealth Compliance Guide
Indiana enforces the Corporate Practice of Medicine doctrine, prohibiting non-physician entities from employing physicians or influencing their professional judgment. This is intended to protect the physician-patient relationship from corporate interests. Medical practices must be owned by licensed physicians.
- Corporate Practice of Medicine (CPOM): Strict
- Telehealth prescribing permitted: Yes
- In-person exam required first: No
- Audio-only visits allowed: Yes
- Nurse practitioner authority: Restricted
- Collaborative practice agreement required: Yes
- Good Faith Exam required: Yes
Telehealth prescribing in Indiana
Telehealth prescribing is permitted in Indiana, subject to a good faith examination. An established provider-patient relationship is required for prescribing when using certain technologies like email or instant messaging. For most other telehealth modalities, a relationship can be established during the telehealth encounter.
Controlled substances in Indiana
Prescribers in Indiana may issue prescriptions for controlled substances via telehealth after conducting a good faith examination. For Schedule II controlled substances, the prescriber must have a prior relationship with the patient or have a referral from a provider who does. An in-person evaluation is generally required before prescribing opioids, but exceptions exist.
Medical director requirements in Indiana
While there isn't a specific 'medical director' title mandated for all telehealth operations, a collaborating physician is required for nurse practitioners. This physician provides oversight and is responsible for the care provided by the NP, functioning in a capacity similar to a medical director.
Nurse practitioner scope and collaborative practice in Indiana
Nurse practitioners in Indiana must operate under a collaborative practice agreement with a physician. This agreement outlines the scope of the NP's practice and the terms of collaboration with the physician, including chart review and consultation.
Key operating notes for Indiana
Indiana requires practitioners to obtain patient consent before providing telehealth services. The state has also enacted recent legislation impacting out-of-state practitioners, terminating telehealth certifications for them effective July 1, 2024. Practitioners providing services to patients in Indiana are subject to the state's laws and jurisdiction.
Recent regulatory changes in Indiana
Effective July 1, 2024, Indiana has implemented significant regulatory changes, including the termination of telehealth certifications for out-of-state practitioners. Providers located outside Indiana who treat patients within the state are now subject to Indiana's licensing laws and jurisdiction.
Frequently asked questions
How does Indiana's strict CPOM doctrine affect my healthcare business?
Indiana enforces strict Corporate Practice of Medicine laws, meaning non-physician entities cannot directly employ physicians or control clinical decisions. You'll need a properly structured PC-MSO arrangement to operate compliantly. TrueEval can guide you through the entity formation and management services agreements required.
Do I need a medical director for my medspa or IV therapy clinic in Indiana?
Yes — Indiana requires physician oversight for medical procedures performed in medspas, IV therapy clinics, and similar brick-and-mortar healthcare establishments. A medical director develops protocols, provides clinical oversight, and ensures regulatory compliance. TrueEval places board-certified medical directors licensed in Indiana who understand both telehealth and in-person practice requirements.
Are Collaborative Practice Agreements required for NPs in Indiana?
Yes, Indiana requires Collaborative Practice Agreements (CPAs) between nurse practitioners and supervising physicians. NPs in Indiana have restricted practice authority, meaning a CPA is necessary for prescriptive authority. TrueEval provides Indiana-specific CPA templates and matches NPs with qualified collaborating physicians.
What are the Good Faith Exam requirements for prescribing in Indiana?
Indiana requires a Good Faith Exam before prescribing medications via telehealth. The GFE can be conducted via telehealth — no in-person visit is required first. Audio-only telehealth is permitted. TrueEval's physician network conducts compliant GFEs for Indiana patients.
What compliance requirements apply to cash-pay healthcare businesses in Indiana?
Cash-pay healthcare operations in Indiana — including telehealth, medspas, IV therapy, and wellness clinics — must still comply with all state medical practice acts, CPOM laws, prescribing regulations, and scope of practice requirements. The main difference is you won't deal with insurance billing compliance, but you must still maintain proper corporate structure, physician oversight, and clinical documentation. TrueEval specializes in cash-pay compliance frameworks for Indiana.