Delaware Business Insurance Update from CNC Insurance Assoc. “Telemedicine Gaining Favor for Work Comp Claims” 4-15-18

All states in the US have laws on the books allowing telemedicine. Technology has allowed patients to see their doctors “remotely” and it allows for cost and time savings. However adopting telemedicine for work comp injuries has been slow in most states. More and more state work comp statutes are looking to add language to their laws to allow telemedicine in adjusting comp claims. The reality is that many doctors and medical providers have been using telemedicine for work comp for some time without specific language in the state statutes.  The real issue in most of these states is figuring out the fee schedule for telemedicine. There has not been any standards for work comp to follow. Doctors certainly see telemedicine as “just like being there” with the patient and do not feel that is is less quality care. Insurance companies like telemedicine because it points to lower costs of work comp claims. Business owners like telemedicine for the same reason.
Lets hope that state lawmakers adapting language for its use in work comp, won’t mess up the benefits.
Until next time be careful out there and know your risks.

G. Kevin Nemith.  CNC Insurance Associates/ The Hilb Group
www.cncinsurance.com
1-877-262-3276 toll free.

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