Telemedicine in Colombia: Regulation, Advances, and Opportunities (2026)

Colombia has one of the most comprehensive regulatory frameworks in Latin America for telemedicine. From Law 1419 of 2010 to Resolution 2654 of 2019, the country has built a legal ecosystem that enables — and in many cases incentivizes — remote healthcare delivery.

Current legal framework

Law 1419 of 2010 — Telehealth Guidelines

Establishes general guidelines:

Defines telehealth as remote health service provision
Distinguishes between telemedicine (medical act) and tele-education (training)
Assigns responsibilities to MinSalud and MinTIC for implementation
Establishes the Telehealth Advisory Committee

Resolution 2654 of 2019 — Telemedicine and telehealth

Details service delivery requirements:

Teleconsultation: synchronous physician-patient care
Teleinterconsultation: consultation between professionals
Telesupport: support for professionals in remote areas
Telemonitoring: remote patient follow-up
Teletriage: remote urgency classification

Resolution 3100 of 2019 — Accreditation

Defines accreditation requirements for providers offering telemedicine, including minimum technology infrastructure.

Decree 538 of 2020 — COVID-19 measures

Temporarily expanded telemedicine possibilities during the health emergency, many of which have been maintained as standard practice.

Current status (2026)

Indicator	Status
Outpatient teleconsultation	✅ Implemented and covered by EPS
Teleradiology	✅ Wide adoption in public and private sectors
Electronic prescription via teleconsultation	✅ Valid with electronic signature
Chronic disease telemonitoring	⚠️ Expanding
EMR exchange between providers	⚠️ In development (Resolution 866)
EPS telemedicine coverage	✅ Mandatory

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Requirements for providing telemedicine

Accreditation requirements

Registration of telemedicine services in REPS (Special Provider Registry)
Technology platform guaranteeing confidentiality and security
Patient informed consent (can be verbal, recorded in EMR)
Electronic medical record where care is documented
Telemedicine care protocol approved by the institution

Technical requirements

Component	Minimum requirement
Connectivity	Stable internet (minimum 5 Mbps)
Video	End-to-end encrypted platform
EMR	System that records teleconsultation as part of the record
Signature	Professional's electronic signature
Storage	Data on secure servers compliant with Law 1581

Opportunities for the private sector

1. Geographic coverage expansion

Colombia has 1,122 municipalities. Many with limited specialist access. Telemedicine allows a clinic in Bogota to serve patients in Leticia, Quibdo, or Mitu.

2. Teleradiology as a service

Imaging centers can offer remote reading to rural hospitals and clinics without on-staff radiologists. With a cloud PACS, the radiologist accesses from anywhere.

3. Operational cost reduction

Teleconsultation reduces physical infrastructure costs. You don't need more offices — you need more virtual schedule slots.

4. Better patient experience

For follow-ups, chronic care management, and second opinions, teleconsultation is preferred by many patients who avoid travel.

Remaining challenges

1. Digital divide

40% of rural households in Colombia lack broadband internet access. Telemedicine works in urban areas, but rural connectivity remains challenging.

2. Interoperability

EMR systems from different providers don't communicate with each other. Resolution 866 seeks to address this, but implementation is gradual.

3. Medical culture

Some healthcare professionals remain reluctant about teleconsultation. Training and experience are key to overcoming this barrier.

Frequently asked questions

Are EPS required to cover teleconsultation?

Yes. EPS must cover teleconsultation under the same conditions as in-person visits. They cannot charge additional copays for telemedicine.

Can I prescribe medications via teleconsultation?

Yes, as long as the prescription has a valid electronic signature under Law 527 of 1999. Controlled substances have additional restrictions.

Do I need to register with REPS for telemedicine?

Yes. Telemedicine services must be registered in the Special Provider Registry (REPS). This is done through MinSalud's platform.

What about medical liability in telemedicine?

Medical liability applies the same as in in-person care. The professional must adequately document the teleconsultation in the electronic medical record.

Conclusion

Colombia has a mature and growing telemedicine ecosystem:

Complete legal framework: Law 1419, Resolution 2654, Resolution 3100.
EPS required to cover teleconsultation under the same conditions as in-person.
Valid electronic prescription via teleconsultation with electronic signature.
Teleradiology expanding as a service to rural hospitals.
Davix supports cloud PACS for teleradiology, HIS for teleconsultation, and integrated electronic signature.

Check Davix pricing or schedule a demo to implement telemedicine in Colombia.