How COVID-19 Is Changing Virtual Medical Assessments

Virtual medical assessments could play a significant role in keeping the insurance industry moving along during the COVID-19 pandemic. But conducting such procedures will be changing as people are urged to stay home.

“COVID-19 has brought this up to the surface in terms of how technology can be used for convenience, and for ensuring the insurance industry and claimants are getting the benefits they deserve,” said Gloria Rajkumar, CEO of SIMAC Medical Assessment Centre in Richmond Hill, Ont.

“We’re living in a time of technology. We should be utilizing technology to the best of our advantages and for less exposure.”

Until recent events related to COVID-19 came to light, an assessment would involve a client going to a medical facility equipped with the technology capable to conduct the procedure remotely with the assessing doctor. That means having a webcam, internet connection, and the space to do it.

The examination would be done through a secure platform developed specifically for this purpose. Additionally, another doctor — a chiropractor, for example — would be present to help the claimant understand what the assessing doctor was asking of them.