CMS Memorandum for Texting Patient Information Among Healthcare Providers
June 21, 2018
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a Memorandum in an effort to clarify their stance and guidelines on texting between healthcare providers and staff.
Texting Patient Orders is Not Permitted.
CMS does not permit health care providers to text patient orders to a care team member on any platform. Therefore, texting patient orders from a health care provider is not in compliance with the Conditions of Participation (CoPs) or Conditions for Coverage (CfCs).
Texting Patient Information on Secure Platforms.
Patient information that is sent via text messages is permissible if accomplished through a secure platform only. However, Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE) is the preferred method of order entry. CMS holds to the long-standing practice that […]