Telemedicine Business Insurance

Telemedicine business insurance is a type of insurance policy designed specifically for healthcare providers who offer telemedicine services. This type of insurance can protect healthcare providers from a variety of risks and liabilities, including malpractice claims, data breaches, and technology failures.

One of the primary risks associated with telemedicine is malpractice claims. Just like with in-person healthcare delivery, healthcare providers offering telemedicine services can face malpractice claims if they make a mistake or fail to provide adequate care. Telemedicine business insurance can help protect providers from the financial impact of these claims, which can be significant.

Another risk associated with telemedicine is data breaches. Telemedicine often involves the transmission of sensitive patient information over the internet, which can make it vulnerable to cyberattacks. If a healthcare provider experiences a data breach, they could be liable for any resulting damages or losses. Telemedicine business insurance can help cover the costs of responding to a data breach, including notifying patients and providing credit monitoring services.

Technology failures are another risk associated with telemedicine. If a healthcare provider's telemedicine software or hardware fails during a patient consultation, it could result in a delay in care or a missed diagnosis. Telemedicine business insurance can help cover the costs associated with these types of technology failures, including any resulting medical expenses or lost revenue.

When shopping for telemedicine business insurance, healthcare providers should look for a policy that specifically addresses the unique risks associated with telemedicine. This may include coverage for telemedicine-specific liabilities, such as claims related to technical difficulties or failure to adequately communicate with patients. Providers should also look for a policy that provides adequate limits of liability to cover potential damages and losses.

In conclusion, telemedicine business insurance is an essential tool for healthcare providers who offer telemedicine services. This type of insurance can help protect providers from the unique risks and liabilities associated with telemedicine, including malpractice claims, data breaches, and technology failures. Healthcare providers should carefully evaluate their insurance needs and select a policy that provides adequate coverage for their telemedicine practice.

The average price of a standard $1,000,000/$2,000,000 General Liability Insurance policy for telemedicine businesses ranges from $67 to $89 per month based on location, office size, revenue, claims history and more.

Many insurers will use telemedicine and telehealth interchangeably, but there is a bit of a difference between them.

Telemedicine is a subset of telehealth. Now when it comes to telehealth, it is a broad definition for all health services, which may use telecommunications technology to communicate with patients.

However, telemedicine is meant explicitly for clinical services.

It is perhaps easiest to explain the difference with an example:

Telehealth may involve overall general health services like perhaps public health. Telehealth may include services that send an alert to the public each time there is an outbreak of a disease or may run a video conferencing service that aims to provide medical services or education.

Telemedicine usually involves clinical work, which means providing medical services via a mobile app that allows physicians to treat patients regardless of where they might be. At times patients may send a photo to show the extent of a skin condition before the physician prescribes a treatment regime.

Over the past couple of years, we've witnessed the demand for telehealth services increase tremendously. The Canadian Medical Association states that seven out of every ten Canadians prefer to seek medical health services virtually.

Furthermore, numerous apps like Skype and Zoom allow doctors to personally reach out to patients and vice versa. Then there are platform apps like Tulip and BetterHealth that make it very easy for patients to book and consult with a physician.

Whether you are offering virtual wellness services or telemedicine, or maybe you're in the telemedicine business, being able to navigate the now fast-evolving landscape means you need to have a risk management strategy in place.

Having an telemedicine business insurance policy is the first step to ensuring that a lot of the financial risk involved is mitigated.

As a doctor in the telemedicine business, you can think of yourself as running a clinic or consultancy online. You meet with clients via Skype, Zoom, or any other technology to discuss health issues and prescribe medicines.

However, there are risks associated with this business model. You need to navigate the variations in the scope of data risks, the scope of care, mobile technology, etc., which may make finding coverage a challenge.

You should find a telemedicine business insurance policy that protects you against specific risks associated with your service. Some of these risks include:

• Being sued for malpractice
• Inability to keep medical records confidential resulting in a lawsuit
• Not using the right data protection strategy
• The financial fallout resulting from a data leak

Generally speaking, it should cover as much as possible. Unfortunately, that isn't always the case since telemedicine is an evolving industry. However, comprehensive insurance coverage will and should usually include:

Professional Liability - It is also referred to as Malpractice Insurance. The policy offers coverage when there is either alleged, or there is actual negligence, omissions, errors, or even failure to deliver as promised. The inability to do any of the above results in bodily harm.

If a client or your patient feels that your service didn't provide the expected results, you can be sued. For instance, you provide consultation on skin-related issues but didn't consider the person's history, which led to prescribing the wrong medicine, which resulted in the condition worsening.

The patient can sue you for negligence. That means in addition to having to pay legal fees; you also need to pay damages. That's where having a professional liability insurance policy can protect you and often where a waiver will not.

Cyber Liability - It is essential for telemedicine practitioners and businesses that store client information to use a secure online platform. However, nothing on the internet or in the world of computers is guaranteed to be secure.

So having a policy like this one will ensure that your business is protected against issues related to the security and privacy of the data. Plus, you are financially covered in the way of legal fees, notification costs, and crisis management.

Commercial General Liability - It is a basic form of coverage that will protect you against what's referred to as day-to-day risks, which you will undoubtedly encounter when running a telemedicine business.

You will be protected against third-party injury claims, property damage, etc., which may have resulted from your business's practices if you have a physical location like a clinic in addition to providing services online. This will cover your legal expenses if there is a lawsuit.

Product Liability - Virtual health care or telemedicine is fueling rapid innovation when it comes to mobile health solutions. Today, there are many heart monitors, blood pressure monitors, and various other wearable devices that will sync with an online platform, making it easier for doctors to share and interpret data.

However, this insurance coverage will protect you if there is bodily injury or property damage caused by anything you have developed and is selling. Interestingly, this coverage also applies to any apps you might have developed for use.

There are several reasons why telemedicine businesses might be sued. Here are some examples:

• Malpractice: Telemedicine providers may be sued for medical malpractice if they provide substandard care or make a mistake that results in harm to a patient. For example, if a doctor fails to diagnose a serious medical condition during a telemedicine consultation, and the patient's condition worsens as a result, the patient may file a malpractice lawsuit.
• Privacy violations: Telemedicine providers must follow strict rules regarding patient confidentiality and privacy. If a telemedicine provider fails to protect a patient's private information, they may be sued for violating privacy laws.
• Technical malfunctions: Telemedicine relies on technology, and technical malfunctions can occur. If a patient is harmed due to a technical malfunction, they may file a lawsuit against the telemedicine provider.
• Licensing and regulatory issues: Telemedicine providers must comply with state and federal laws and regulations. If a telemedicine provider is found to be in violation of these laws, they may be sued.

Insurance can help protect telemedicine businesses from these types of lawsuits. Here are some examples of how insurance can help pay for the lawsuit:

Malpractice insurance: Malpractice insurance can help cover the costs of a lawsuit if a telemedicine provider is sued for medical malpractice. This type of insurance can cover legal fees, settlements, and judgments.

Cyber liability insurance: Cyber liability insurance can help cover the costs of a lawsuit if a telemedicine provider is sued for a privacy violation. This type of insurance can cover legal fees, settlements, and judgments.

Technology errors and omissions insurance: Technology errors and omissions insurance can help cover the costs of a lawsuit if a telemedicine provider is sued for a technical malfunction. This type of insurance can cover legal fees, settlements, and judgments.

Regulatory and compliance insurance: Regulatory and compliance insurance can help cover the costs of a lawsuit if a telemedicine provider is sued for violating licensing and regulatory requirements. This type of insurance can cover legal fees, settlements, and judgments.

It's important for telemedicine businesses to have adequate insurance coverage to protect themselves from lawsuits. Consultation with an experienced insurance agent or broker can help businesses determine the types and amounts of insurance they need to properly protect their business from potential claims.