News & Events

We are pleased to announce that SIGIS has updated the IIAS certification to support telehealth merchants. The type of telehealth business models that SIGIS is able to support are listed below:

1. Traditional telehealth visit /w independent pharmacy
   • Standard fee-for-service: patient (or plan) pays a visit fee; prescriber is clinically independent from the pharmacy.
   • Telehealth visit is a medical expense (visit for diagnosis/treatment) and is charged independently from the pharmacy.
   • Rx dispensed via a regular SIGIS pharmacy POS that is IIAS-eligible or qualifies under the 90% rule or is IIAS-eligible. Healthcare provider must be licensed where the patient is located; pharmacy must be licensed in the state where prescription is dispensed.
2. Direct to consumer (DTC) telehealth brands with in-house pharmacy & branded products

   Telehealth merchant platforms that offer an online assessment, telehealth provider visit (where required), Rx, and home delivery; typically offering prescriptions for erectile dysfunction, hair loss, acne, GLP-1 weight loss, insomnia, etc.

   • Patient typically pays subscription or per-visit fee; platform owns or contracts with multiple partner pharmacies.
   • The medical consultation must be separate from prescription fees for card usage in accordance for various plan configurations.

Telehealth merchants may operate under a pharmacy MCC the IRS has also specified that drug store and pharmacies are not to be considered medically related, and thus, must implement an IIAS capability. If a telehealth merchant is operating under a medical MCC they are not required to implement IIAS capability but may wish to do so if they are also selling eligible OTC products, however only the prescription costs and eligible OTC costs can be processed in an IIAS transaction.  Properly assigned MCC’s in accordance with card network rules by the merchant’s acquirer will determine needed approach. Telehealth merchants will not be able to qualify for the 90% program.

Due to the complexity in the various telehealth business models in the marketplace each telehealth merchant that is interested in participating in SIGIS will need to contact the SIGIS Help Desk prior to becoming a member so SIGIS can determine if membership is appropriate based on the business model.

For additional questions please contact the Help Desk at 925-855-3228 or help@sig-is.org.