Telemedicine malpractice insurance

Telemedicine allows medical providers and patients to communicate over the phone or video calls, rather than having an in-person diagnosis at an office. This is especially useful when patients are unable to come in for an in-person office visit.

Telemedicine services can be used for a number of healthcare services such as follow-up visits, preventive care, and managing the patient’s ongoing medical conditions.

The use of telemedicine coverage and virtual care became prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic, with over a third (37%) of adults reporting that they have used telemedicine services in 2021.

This trend is expected to grow. In fact, the worldwide telehealth industry is expected to reach over $450 billion by 2030.

Medical malpractice insurance, also known as professional liability insurance or errors and omissions insurance, protects healthcare professionals against claims of professional negligence and mistakes, including the care you provide through telemedicine.

Malpractice insurance is often required by state law for those in the medical field. You may also have to be licensed in a particular state in order to provide telehealth services there.

Check with your state licensing board to make sure you comply with the law. Many states have privacy laws specifically for telehealth visits, and the ones that don’t could issue new requirements in the future to address this growing trend.

It’s also a good idea to check with your insurance company to be sure you’re covered for telehealth visits and if they have any requirements for these services.

You’ll also need to make sure you don’t violate any Health Insurance Portability and Accountability (HIPAA) regulations, especially if you’re unfamiliar with telehealth platforms and methods.

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) has more information on staying HIPAA compliant on their “Know the risks [PDF]” page.

A malpractice insurance policy covers issues such as:

• The misdiagnosis of a patient
• Treatment errors
• Improper medications or dosage
• Misreading or ignoring lab results

Telehealth medical services carry the same malpractice risks, but with an increased exposure to:

• HIPAA and Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) violations
• Violations of state law (such as offering treatment across state borders)
• Failing to meet the required standards of care

The HIPAA Security Rule stipulates that physicians use “reasonable and appropriate safeguards” to keep electronic protected health information (ePHI) secure. As well as the HIPAA Journal [PDF], which reports texting, Skype, and email do not meet the Security Rule’s requirements.

Stipulations by HIPAA mandate that:

• Only authorized users can access ePHI
• Medical providers must have a secure communication method to protect ePHI
• Any communications containing ePHI should be monitored to prevent accidental or malicious breaches

Depending on the laws in your state, you might also need to inform your patients of the risks and limitations of telehealth visits and receive either written or verbal approval from them.

Any healthcare professional who’s responsible for patient care and privacy should have malpractice insurance, with sufficient telehealth coverage if they provide any patient services over the phone or online.

This is especially true since the COVID-19 pandemic, as medical providers have expanded their telehealth coverage to treat patients who were reluctant or unable to make an in-office visit.

Healthcare professionals who may need medical malpractice coverage more than than others include:

While you might already have general liability insurance and cyber liability insurance, these policies cover different things than a medical liability policy.

General liability insurance covers common third-party risks, such as slip-and-fall accidents at your office. It is often the first type of insurance small business owners get as it's often required to attain a commercial lease and client contracts.

Cyber liability insurance offers financial protection against the cost of data breaches and cyberattacks.

Complete Insureon’s easy online application today to get medical malpractice insurance quotes from top-rated U.S. malpractice insurance companies. You can consult with an insurance agent and get free quotes on your other business insurance needs.

Once you find the right liability policies for your small business, you can begin coverage in less than 24 hours.