Crossing State Lines with Caution: What Chiropractors Need to Know About Telehealth and Licensure
New ChiroFutures Report Outlines Legal, Regulatory, and Risk Management Considerations for Telehealth Practice Across State Borders
Introduction: The Rise of Telehealth in Chiropractic Care
The integration of telehealth into chiropractic practice has opened new doors for patient education, lifestyle counseling, and continuity of care, especially in a post-COVID world. But while technology makes it easy to connect with patients anywhere, the legal landscape is anything but simple.
ChiroFutures Malpractice Insurance Program has just released a comprehensive report titled "Navigating Interstate Telehealth for Chiropractors: Licensure, Compliance, and Risk Management." This critical resource is available now in the Members Only section of www.chirofutures.org and should be required reading for any chiropractor offering or considering telehealth services, especially across state lines.
The Legal Bottom Line: It’s About Where the Patient Is
“The practice of chiropractic via telehealth is legally deemed to occur where the patient is physically located, not where the chiropractor sits behind their screen.”
This fundamental legal principle means chiropractors generally need to be licensed in the state where their patient is at the time of the telehealth visit. That makes multi-state practice tricky, and mistakes can have career-ending consequences.
Opportunities and Limits: What You Can, and Cannot, Do via Telehealth
While spinal adjustments and hands-on evaluations cannot be done remotely, the report identifies viable telehealth services for chiropractors, including:
Evaluation and Management (E/M) counseling
Patient and family education
Risk factor reduction counseling
Adherence/compliance monitoring
In some cases, specialty consultations with in-state providers
However, adjustments, manipulation, physical exams, and therapies like ultrasound or electrical stimulation still require in-person delivery.
Navigating Interstate Practice: Options, Exceptions, and Red Flags
Some states, like Arizona, Florida, and Washington, offer limited telehealth registrations or exceptions for out-of-state chiropractors. Others have narrow allowances for consultations, emergencies, or follow-up care. Still, these pathways are often complex and vary widely.
“The lack of an interstate chiropractic licensure compact, unlike other health professions, puts chiropractors at a distinct disadvantage.”
The report encourages the profession to advocate for the development of a chiropractic compact to level the playing field.
Risk Management Essentials for Chiropractors
The report outlines high-risk scenarios and critical compliance steps, including:
Licensure Verification in every patient’s state
Patient Location Documentation at every telehealth visit
Telehealth-Specific Informed Consent
Meticulous Recordkeeping including time, location, platform used
HIPAA Compliance using secure, encrypted communication systems
Insurance Check to ensure your malpractice policy covers telehealth across all applicable states
Don’t Assume You're Covered
“Even one unlicensed telehealth session can trigger disciplinary action in multiple states, and potentially void your malpractice coverage.”
Chiropractors are urged to contact their malpractice provider to confirm coverage across jurisdictions. ChiroFutures insureds can access detailed guidance and policy-specific answers through our support team.
Billing Realities: Reimbursement is Still a Hurdle
Medicare’s telehealth reimbursement is extremely limited for chiropractors, primarily excluding anything but in-person manipulations or adjustments. While some private payers and parity laws offer more flexibility, reimbursement is not guaranteed, and documentation requirements are strict.
Recommendations from ChiroFutures: Compliance Before Convenience
To avoid risk, chiropractors must:
Prioritize licensure or registration in each patient’s state
Verify patient location for every visit
Adhere to the standard of care as if in-person
Document everything
Ensure informed consent is specific to telehealth risks
Engage legal counsel for multi-state expansion plans
Access the Full Report Today
The full telehealth compliance and risk management report is available now in the Members Only section of www.chirofutures.org. Don’t risk your license, reputation, or livelihood by assuming telehealth is a legal free-for-all. The law hasn’t caught up with the technology, and until it does, chiropractors must proceed with caution and clarity.
“Telehealth is a powerful tool—but only when wielded with legal precision and ethical care.”
For questions or to review your malpractice policy’s provisions, contact ChiroFutures directly or visit the Members Only portal for tools, templates, and updates.
