Telemedicine and telehealth services were growing before the COVID-19 pandemic, and demand has soared during the pandemic as patients and providers alike recognized the efficiencies and convenience of delivering care remotely. However, along with the surge in demand for virtual care comes a higher risk of a malpractice claim for health care professionals. In this Blog, we discussed reducing such risks leading to a malpractice claim. Two prime risks include risk of misdiagnosis and privacy risk, discussed in detail as follows:
Reducing Risks Leading to Malpractice Claims During Telehealth
- Risk of misdiagnosis: One of the biggest risks in the act of practicing medicine virtually involves the challenges of virtual examinations: reviewing diagnostics, communicating with the patient, and loss of contextual clues, among other factors. Two-thirds of telemedicine-related claims received between 2014 to 2018 were related to diagnosis, according to CRICO, the risk management arm of the Harvard Medical Institutions. Physicians conducting a telemedicine appointment must rely on a patient’s description and interpretation of their symptoms to try to make a diagnosis without the benefit of testing and physical examination, as at an in-person clinical visit. That could more easily lead to misdiagnosis, missed symptoms or physical clues, prescription of the wrong medication, and the potential consequence of prescribing medication across state lines without conducting an in-person examination.
- Security & technology threats: Virtual health care can also be prone to security and technology threats. Privacy breaches, software malfunctions, cyber security threats, ransomware, and other issues could result in non-compliance with regulations. Something as simple as a poor internet connection or an older computer with a low-quality camera lens could play a role in misdiagnosis or miscommunication between patient and provider.
Reducing the Risk
- Despite these risks, the standard of care test remains the same for virtual medicine: the acceptable medical treatment provided by reasonably prudent health care professionals under like or similar circumstances. Providers who choose to offer virtual care can reduce their risk by implementing best practices and recommendations from relevant entities like the American Telemedicine Association (ATA).
- Providers should be vigilant about patient confidentiality, including written documentation, and ensure their software platforms have encryption, cybersecurity, and other safeguards that comply with federal and state privacy laws such as HIPAA and the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, also known as HITECH.
- Providers should educate patients on the proper protocols of virtual visits and describe the possible risks of seeking care remotely. They also need to be mindful that there will be an inherent lack of personal connection and continuity of care, which tend to reduce the risk of litigation in longstanding doctor-patient relationships.
- Providers may need to be more careful in making sure patients follow through on diagnostic testing such as bloodwork or radiology, prescription medications, other recommended treatment or specialized care.
- Most important, when a virtual visit doesn’t yield enough information, especially if the patient may have a serious illness or condition or a history of underlying health issues that may cause complications, physicians should document the lack of information and insist on an in-person appointment for a more detailed examination or diagnosis.
Telemedicine offers many new opportunities and potential benefits for patients and practices in the increasingly complex healthcare environment. As it evolves, medical providers must stay alert to the possible risks of litigation, especially when making a new diagnosis or presenting with a new symptom or health concern. Remember that virtual care is still in its early stages, and we have much to learn.
Though you may need to learn how to avoid such risks, you don’t have to learn about billing complexities in telehealth medical billing. Medical Billers and Coders (MBC) is a leading medical billing company providing complete revenue cycle solutions.
We are well versed with the telehealth billing guidelines and payer policies, during PHE and the end of PHE also. To learn more about our telehealth billing and coding services, contact us at info@medicalbillersandcoders.com/ 888-357-3226
FAQs
1. What are the main risks of telehealth leading to malpractice claims?
The primary risks include misdiagnosis due to reliance on patient descriptions and technological issues like security breaches and poor internet connections.
2. How can providers reduce the risk of misdiagnosis in telemedicine?
Providers should ensure thorough patient communication, request follow-up tests, and insist on in-person appointments when necessary for a more accurate diagnosis.
3. What security measures should be in place for telemedicine visits?
Providers must use encrypted software platforms and ensure compliance with privacy laws like HIPAA and HITECH to safeguard patient confidentiality.
4. How can providers mitigate technology-related risks in telehealth?
By using reliable devices, maintaining a strong internet connection, and ensuring their technology is up to date, providers can avoid communication issues and potential misdiagnoses.
5. How can Medical Billers and Coders assist with telehealth malpractice risks?
Medical Billers and Coders help by navigating the complexities of telehealth billing, ensuring compliance with payer policies and reducing administrative risks for providers.
