Middleton, WI – As telehealth gains traction in workers’ compensation, state officials are seeking insight into the practice so they can develop a balanced regulatory response. Attendees will explore telehealth practices at a half-day workshop on April 18, 2018 during The IAIABC Forum in Atlanta. The session will stimulate important discussion on administrative, legal, clinical, and security issues.
MedRisk, a workers’ compensation physical rehabilitation provider, will begin the program with a simulated physical therapy follow-up visit. “Seeing the interface and interaction between patient and provider will demonstrate to attendees the value telehealth promises for helping injured workers,” comments Mary O’Donoghue, Chief Clinical and Product Officer, MedRisk. The presentation will also offer provider insight on regulation that can support effective telemedicine practices.
A panel of state officials along with industry representatives will follow the simulated physical therapy visit. “Telehealth, in its many forms, presents unique regulatory challenges especially since care can be delivered across jurisdictional lines,” says Jennifer Wolf Horejsh, Executive Director, IAIABC. During this workshop, policy-makers will be able to dialogue on the development of a regulatory framework that both protects stakeholders and allows product innovation.
The application of telemedicine in workers’ compensation is not limited to physical therapy. Other organizations are piloting programs for nurse triage, follow-up office visits, and mental health services. Licensing, billing, security, and patient safety are important considerations regardless of medical service delivery.
Members of the IAIABC Medical Issues Committee have been interested in and discussing the application of telehealth in workers’ compensation for more than a year. Bringing together multiple state viewpoints and industry leaders provides the opportunity to create a more coordinated approach to telemedicine regulation, especially as most states are in the beginning stages of formulating and proposing telehealth strategies in workers’ compensation.
About The Forum
The IAIABC Forum, one of the IAIABC’s two annual conferences, brings together workers’ compensation leaders from jurisdictional agencies and industry organizations to dialogue on major workers’ compensation issues of today and tomorrow. Through in-depth discussions and sharing of information, leaders learn new strategies and approaches to tackling challenges. The Forum 2018 will take place April 16-19 in Atlanta, Georgia at the Westin Buckhead. Learn more at www.iaiabc.org/forum.
Source: IAIABC