The Corporate Practice of Medicine (CPOM) doctrine plays a significant role in shaping how medical services are delivered, particularly in telehealth, where innovation often outpaces regulation. For telehealth providers in Minnesota, understanding and adhering to CPOM regulations is essential to ensure compliance while delivering high-quality, patient-centered care.

Telehealth providers in Minnesota face unique challenges under CPOM regulations. Access Plus Health provides tailored insights into these laws, helping you address ownership limitations, manage physician oversight, and ensure compliant operations in 2025. Trust us to simplify the complexities of Minnesota’s CPOM framework and support your telehealth success.

This guide highlights the key insights for telehealth providers navigating Minnesota’s CPOM regulations in 2025.

1. CPOM in Minnesota: A Flexible Approach

Unlike states with strict CPOM laws, Minnesota’s regulatory framework provides flexibility for telehealth providers. Corporations can employ physicians directly, but compliance with specific standards is necessary to maintain physician autonomy and ethical practice.

• Key Principle: Physicians must retain control over clinical decisions, ensuring that business interests do not influence patient care.
• Telehealth Implications: Technology-driven practices must align with the same principles as in-person healthcare services.

2. Licensing and Practice Standards for Telehealth Providers

Physicians delivering telehealth services in Minnesota must meet state-specific licensing requirements and adhere to established standards of care.

• Licensing:
  
  • Physicians must hold an active Minnesota medical license.
  • Telehealth providers offering multi-state services should ensure compliance with the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) for streamlined licensing.
• Standards of Care:
  
  • Telehealth services must match the quality and thoroughness of in-person visits.
  • Comprehensive documentation of telehealth encounters is required for compliance and continuity of care.

3. Physician Autonomy in Telehealth

To comply with CPOM regulations, telehealth providers must uphold physician autonomy, even when employing physicians directly or using AI-powered diagnostic tools.

• Best Practices:
  
  • Contracts should clearly define that physicians maintain sole authority over clinical decisions.
  • AI and decision-support tools should supplement, not replace, physician judgment.

4. Collaboration Agreements for Mid-Level Providers

Telehealth often relies on mid-level providers like nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) to expand care delivery. Minnesota requires formal collaboration agreements that outline roles, responsibilities, and supervision.

• Key Elements:
  
  • Specify the scope of practice for NPs and PAs.
  • Define the supervisory role of physicians, especially in telehealth settings.
  • Include protocols for remote oversight, such as regular virtual meetings and chart reviews.

5. Privacy and Data Security

Telehealth providers handle sensitive patient information, making compliance with data privacy regulations a critical component of CPOM adherence.

• HIPAA Compliance:
  
  • Use secure platforms for telehealth services to protect patient data.
  • Implement encryption and two-factor authentication for added security.
• Cybersecurity Measures:
  
  • Regularly update software to mitigate vulnerabilities.
  • Train staff on recognizing phishing attempts and other cybersecurity threats.

6. Avoiding Fee Splitting and Financial Pitfalls

Minnesota prohibits fee-splitting arrangements that could compromise patient care quality or create conflicts of interest.

• Tips for Telehealth Providers:
  
  • Ensure that payment structures between corporations and physicians reflect fair market value.
  • Avoid revenue-sharing agreements tied directly to patient volume or referrals.

7. Adapting Telehealth to CPOM Compliance

Telehealth providers must integrate CPOM principles into their operational models while leveraging technology to enhance care delivery.

A. AI and Machine Learning

• Compliance Tip: Clearly document the role of AI tools in patient care and ensure they do not override clinical judgment.

B. Virtual Supervision

• Use telehealth platforms for remote collaboration between supervising physicians and mid-level providers, ensuring compliance with supervision requirements.

C. Patient Consent

• Obtain explicit informed consent for telehealth services, outlining the scope and limitations of virtual care.

8. Regulatory Updates for 2025

Minnesota continues to evolve its telehealth regulations to address emerging technologies and healthcare needs.

• Anticipated Changes:
  
  • Enhanced guidelines for AI integration in telehealth.
  • Stricter enforcement of patient data security measures.
  • Expanded licensing requirements for cross-border telehealth practices.

9. Strategies for Ensuring Compliance

A. Partner with Legal Experts

Consult healthcare attorneys with expertise in CPOM and telehealth to ensure contracts, policies, and operations meet state requirements.

B. Invest in Training

Educate staff and providers on CPOM principles, telehealth regulations, and ethical considerations in virtual care.

C. Conduct Regular Audits

Perform compliance audits to identify and address potential vulnerabilities in operations, particularly around licensing and data security.

Telehealth providers in Minnesota are uniquely positioned to lead the future of healthcare delivery, but compliance with CPOM regulations remains critical. By prioritizing physician autonomy, meeting licensing requirements, and ensuring data security, telehealth organizations can deliver innovative, patient-centered care while staying compliant with state laws.

As the landscape of healthcare continues to evolve, understanding and adapting to Minnesota’s CPOM regulations will ensure both operational success and the highest standards of patient care.