Telehealth has revolutionized healthcare delivery, offering convenience and accessibility to patients across Colorado. However, the Corporate Practice of Medicine (CPOM) doctrine presents unique compliance challenges for telehealth providers, particularly those looking to expand operations. This blog explores the critical insights healthcare providers need to ensure CPOM compliance in Colorado’s telehealth landscape.

Telehealth providers in Colorado face unique challenges when it comes to CPOM compliance. Access Plus Health offers insights and strategies for ensuring your telehealth practice adheres to state regulations in 2025. From clarifying ownership restrictions to helping you manage multi-state operations, we provide the expertise you need to stay compliant while delivering quality care. Expand your telehealth services with confidence, knowing Access Plus Health is here to support your compliance needs.

Telehealth and the CPOM Doctrine

While telehealth offers flexibility, it must align with Colorado’s CPOM laws, which prohibit corporations or non-licensed entities from practicing medicine. These laws emphasize the need for:

• Physician autonomy in patient care decisions.
• Clear distinctions between clinical and business operations.

Key Compliance Considerations for Telehealth Providers

1. Physician Licensing and Oversight
   Ensure that all physicians providing telehealth services are licensed in Colorado and are responsible for clinical decisions.
2. Ownership Structures
   Telehealth practices must adhere to the CPOM requirement that licensed physicians own and control the practice. Non-licensed entities can only provide administrative support through well-structured agreements.
3. Contractual Clarity
   Management Services Agreements (MSAs) between physicians and corporations should clearly outline the scope of non-clinical services, ensuring that business interests do not interfere with medical judgment.

Challenges in Telehealth CPOM Compliance

1. Cross-State Licensing
   Telehealth providers working across state lines must navigate Colorado’s CPOM laws while ensuring compliance with licensing regulations in other states.
2. Technology Integration
   Incorporating AI and digital tools into telehealth services requires clear policies to delineate clinical responsibility.
3. Scaling Operations
   Expanding telehealth operations can blur boundaries between clinical and administrative roles, increasing compliance risks.

Strategies for Ensuring Compliance

1. Work with Legal Counsel
   Engage attorneys with expertise in CPOM compliance and telehealth regulations to review ownership structures and contracts.
2. Standardize Policies
   Develop robust compliance policies tailored to telehealth, ensuring they address licensing, supervision, and contractual agreements.
3. Train Teams on Compliance
   Provide regular training to telehealth staff and administrators to ensure they understand CPOM requirements and their role in maintaining compliance.
4. Monitor Technology Use
   Ensure that digital tools and platforms used in telehealth do not inadvertently breach CPOM regulations by delegating clinical decisions to non-physicians.

Expanding telehealth operations in Colorado requires a nuanced understanding of the CPOM doctrine. By prioritizing compliance in ownership structures, licensing, and administrative agreements, telehealth providers can scale their services while adhering to legal requirements and maintaining the highest standards of patient care.