Pennsylvania Healthcare & Telehealth Compliance Guide
Pennsylvania enforces the Corporate Practice of Medicine (CPOM) doctrine, which prohibits non-physician entities from employing physicians or practicing medicine. This legal precedent is intended to ensure that medical decisions are not influenced by corporate interests. While exceptions exist for entities such as hospitals, the fundamental principle of maintaining a direct professional-patient relationship free from undue corporate influence remains.
- 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: No
Frequently asked questions
How does Pennsylvania's strict CPOM doctrine affect my healthcare business?
Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?
Yes — Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania who understand both telehealth and in-person practice requirements.
Are Collaborative Practice Agreements required for NPs in Pennsylvania?
Yes, Pennsylvania requires Collaborative Practice Agreements (CPAs) between nurse practitioners and supervising physicians. NPs in Pennsylvania have restricted practice authority, meaning a CPA is necessary for prescriptive authority. TrueEval provides Pennsylvania-specific CPA templates and matches NPs with qualified collaborating physicians.
Can I prescribe medications via telehealth in Pennsylvania?
Yes, telehealth prescribing is permitted in Pennsylvania. No in-person visit is required before prescribing via telehealth. Audio-only consultations are allowed. TrueEval ensures your prescribing protocols meet all Pennsylvania requirements.
What compliance requirements apply to cash-pay healthcare businesses in Pennsylvania?
Cash-pay healthcare operations in Pennsylvania — 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 Pennsylvania.