Psych NP working remote in Mexico

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Mar 3

The short answer is it is possible. Many physicians who do remote work live in an area outside of the jurisdiction where their patients live. For NP's, you'd have to figure out a few things: does the state you're seeing patients in have Full Practice Authority (FPA)? are you joining an organization that provides telemedicine and what are their requirements?

There is a blog for physicians that briefly covers the topic:

https://www.physicianonfire.com/physician-remote-work-and-telemedicine/

beachynurse, ASN, BSN · Mar 6

It is possible, you have to be licensed in the state or states that you practice in. We have a benefit from work that allows us to do phone or video visits with an MD after hours, and I've spoken to MD's that are in other states, but are also licensed in Virginia where I reside.

CuriousConundrum · Mar 13

There are some limitations, yes. I had a contract for several years with a group that rounded on inpatient units. About three months before I resigned, we were given an attestation to sign declaring that we were not attending to patients from outside the jurisdiction of the United States.

1. You may need a customized malpractice policy as many U.S. insurances, of all types, are void when outside the U.S.

2. My understanding is that the DEA registration is only valid when the prescriber is in the jurisdiction of the U.S. so prescribing controlled substances from Mexico (or elsewhere) would be forbidden. (This may not apply if you're working in/for the U.S. embassy.)

3. You cannot bill Medicare while working abroad, and with shared CMS regulations you may not be able to bill Medicaid either. I really have no idea about Medicaid. You'd have to check. You'll want to inquire specifically with other commercial insurance programs and get their policies in writing.

4. Call your state's board of authority. They may have their shorts in a twist about it so you'll have to get their interpretation as well.

So if your board says it's okay, you're not billing any insurances, you're not prescribing any controlled substances, and you have a pertinent malpractice policy or you forgo a policy all together then you're okay then you can practice as you would here in America.