Physician Licensing and State Compliance Policy
Solid Foundation Psychiatry Policy: Ensuring Patients Are Connected with Licensed Physicians
Policy Title: Physician Licensing and State Compliance Policy
Effective Date: 02/14/2022
Review Date: 02/14/2023
Approved By: Edewor B Osevwe CEO
Policy Number: SFP-011
Purpose:
The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all patients receiving services through Solid Foundation Psychiatry are only connected with physicians who are licensed to practice in the patient’s state of residence, ensuring full compliance with state laws and regulations governing telehealth and in-person healthcare services.
Scope:
This policy applies to all healthcare providers, administrative staff, and management involved in connecting patients with licensed psychiatric providers through Solid Foundation Psychiatry.
Policy Statement:
Solid Foundation Psychiatry is committed to maintaining the highest standards of compliance with state laws and regulations regarding physician licensing. To uphold this commitment, we ensure that all patients are matched with a provider who holds an active and valid medical license to practice in the patient’s state of residence.
Procedures:
- Verification of Physician Licenses:
– Initial License Verification: Before onboarding any healthcare provider to the Solid Foundation Psychiatry team, the credentialing department will verify that the provider holds an active medical license in all states in which they are authorized to practice.
– Ongoing License Monitoring: The credentialing department will conduct periodic checks of each provider’s licensure status using state medical boards and the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) database to ensure licenses remain active and in good standing.
– Notification of License Expiry: Providers will be notified 60 days before their state license expiration date to allow ample time for renewal. The provider’s ability to practice will be paused if their license is expired.
- Patient Intake and Location Confirmation:
– Patient Address Confirmation: During the patient intake process, the patient’s current address and state of residence will be confirmed and documented in the electronic medical record (EMR) system.
– System Match of Licensed Providers: The EMR system will automatically match patients to providers licensed to practice in their state. This system prevents the scheduling of appointments with any provider not licensed in the patient’s state of residence.
- Cross-State Telehealth Restrictions:
– Interstate Practice Rules: Physicians may only provide telehealth services to patients located in states where they are licensed to practice. The telehealth platform will ensure that patients are connected only with providers authorized to deliver care across state lines, and any exceptions must comply with federal and state telehealth regulations.
- Documentation and Auditing:
– Licensure Records: The credentialing department will maintain an up-to-date database of provider licenses, including expiration dates and licensing states, to always ensure full compliance.
– Audit Trail: Solid Foundation Psychiatry will conduct quarterly audits of provider-patient matching to verify that all care is provided by a state-licensed physician in accordance with state laws.
Consequences for Non-Compliance:
Failure to comply with this policy will result in immediate suspension of the provider’s ability to treat patients through Solid Foundation Psychiatry until the issue is resolved. Repeated non-compliance may result in termination of provider contracts.
Conclusion:
Solid Foundation Psychiatry is committed to ensuring that all care provided to our patients meets legal and ethical standards, including the requirement that all physicians are appropriately licensed in the patient’s state of residence. This policy ensures adherence to regulatory guidelines and protects the safety and well-being of our patients.
Contact Information:
For questions or clarification regarding this policy, please contact the Solid Foundation Psychiatry Credentialing Department at
832-438-0330.
This policy document ensures that Solid Foundation Psychiatry consistently verifies and monitors the licensure status of all providers and matches patients only with physicians who are authorized to practice in their respective states.