At The American Telemedicine Association meeting, here in Los Angeles, two things become very clear.:
- This technology is here to stay
The medical malpractice insurance cost containment offer these organizations is paramount to their success.
The doctors insurance agency has been working on creative methods finding the right insurance for the right type of medical practice for 25 years. Starting with the emergency medical groups and the difficult administrative challenge that they face in on boarding and deleting their roster of physicians and para medical providers, to the challenge that hospitalist groups face with their 24 hour - 7 day a week Staffing challenge, we enjoy the role of working with our underwriters to develop these important solutions providing enough insurance and flexibility that these groups can thrive.
the cost of medical malpractice insurance has to be contained or these organizations simply can't subsist. the leaders in medical malpractice insurance the doctors company, Medical protective, Norcal, Admiral are beginning to support and understand how to insure and even help manage the risk of telemedicine medical groups.
If the malpractice policy can provide sufficient limits for each claim, and a satisfactory insurance contract for the many credentialing entities, as well as ease in administration, then the group can concentrate on providing more patience with important primary and specialty care as well as reducing the cost of health care.
By providing a policy that allows physicians to dissociate from the group without triggering the expensesive claims made tail Premium, the groups can project the cost during the year as well as rest assured that claims presented in the future will be covered by this same policy.
it is inspiring to see how many innovative ideas there are present at the american telamedicine association meeting here in los angeles ... remembering 8 years ago in Seattle when similar models of futuristic healthcare were presented and conversation of how to insure this type of medicine was a common and complicated topic. Now, as the states begin to support physician patient relationships established throught internet portals and through real time tele medicine technology, insurance companies can begin to implement strategies similar to clinical practices in helping these group grow, with out the battery of claims.
this year, I think one of the most interesting trends is the expansion not only be on state lines but internationally. As long as the telemedicine organization is domiciled in the United States the malpractice carrier can respond to the claims even if the services or consultations are overseas or a cross the northern and southern border of the United States.
As the malpractice companies continue to figure out how to respond, these telemedicine models will continue to attract quality physicians, necessary investment capital.
With this growth, the universe of patients will grow.
It is exciting to be in this niche within the healthcare space. And we appreciate all of our insurance company carriers and broker partners helping us understand how to find the best policy for the telemedicine specialties.