THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020
 The COVID 19 virus outbreak of 2020 has accelerated the use of telemedicine as a standard of care for employees on workers compensation insurance. Is this a fad or trend for workers compensation insurance and how does it impact you as a claimant?
What Is Workers Compensation Insurance?
Workers compensation insurance provides you, as a business owner, with a valuable benefit by helping to assist employees injured on the job with their medical expenses and recovery as well as provide compensation for part of their lost wages until they are able to get back to work. The cost of this protection can be high, depending on your industry and payroll classifications. So, the introduction of technology in a way to lower costs is a boon not only for the employee receiving services, but also for you as a business owner.
Telemedicine, which has been slowly adopted to the management of workers compensation insurance claims, is defined as the use of electronic communication technology in such a manner to reduce in-person patient care and provide clinical services deemed necessary for recovery.
Large health services provider Kaiser-Permanente (KP) reported in 2015 that of 110 million patient interactions between KP members and service providers which took place, 56 percent — or 61.5 million — were handled via an electronic communication network. This marks the first instance more interaction took place online versus in-patient. KP projected a growth from 350,000 telemedicine customers in 2013 to over 7 million by 2018, a growth of 2,000 percent.
Is Telemedicine Ideal For Workers Compensation Insurance Claimants?
As the challenge of receiving meaningful interactions between patients and healthcare providers is further complicated by issues such as access, cost (in terms of both money and time, such as travel to and from a provider’s location to receive healthcare services) and the potential for harm brought on by such calamities as a worldwide pandemic, telemedicine provides a viable alternative for workers compensation insurance claimants. The initial triaging of injuries, as well as ongoing monitoring and advising which does not require an in-patient visit, can reduce costs and provide more immediate care.
What Are The Benefits Of Telemedicine For Workers Compensation Insurance Claimants?
In times of extraordinary crisis, telemedicine helps:
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Reduce person-to-person contact through electronic communication
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Reduce costs (i.e. travel, office overhead expenses, time, etc.)
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Improve access to care
It is important to note that not all workers compensation insurance claims are appropriate for telemedicine. There are also concerns regarding patient privacy and data security (as required under HIPAA) which need to be addressed and strengthened as more service providers and insurance investigate the absolute viability of telemedicine as a care option.
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