TELEMEDICINE: UNDERSTANDING THE RISKS

Telemedicine is increasingly a hot topic among health care providers, organizations and patients. Whether for better access to physicians, referrals, second opinions or remote consultations, both physicians and patients alike favor increased communication via electronic methods. Reimbursement for telecommunication encounters is on the rise and more health plans are encouraging it. Whether the modality is via your smart phone, tablet, laptop, computer or telephone, the growing popularity of telemedicine warrants a look at risk management, insurance and regulation issues. The very definition of telemedicine is evolving along with its technology, regulations and practice guidelines. Undoubtedly we will see more of it in the future as reimbursement for telemedicine encounters, physician accessibility and consumer preference for it increase. So what is it and what are the liability, insurance and risk management issues involved with this evolving practice? DEFINITIONS AND BACKGROUND There is no one standard definition for telemedicine, but generally, the ter