Telemedicine for Work Injuries: When Virtual Care Makes Sense
A convenient option that keeps treatment on track without sacrificing quality of care
Not every step in a work injury recovery requires an in-person visit. As virtual care becomes a normal part of how healthcare is delivered, MBI Clinics uses telemedicine in specific, clinically appropriate situations to keep treatment plans moving forward for both employers and injured workers. Understanding when a virtual visit makes sense, and when it doesn’t, helps set the right expectations for everyone involved in a claim.
What Telemedicine Looks Like at MBI
A telemedicine visit connects a patient with an MBI provider through a secure video call instead of an in-person appointment. It is not a replacement for hands-on physical exams or treatments that require direct contact. Instead, MBI’s medical and operations teams might recommend a virtual care visit for situations that don’t require in-person care.
When Telemedicine May Be A Convenient Choice For You
There are several scenarios where virtual visits work well for both patients and employers:
Stable or improving injuries: For a check in to see how a patient is tolerating current work activities and evaluating whether restrictions are ready to be advanced. A virtual visit can also work well for reassessments that don’t require a physical exam, or reviewing imaging (such as MRIs or CT scans).
Bloodborne pathogen exposures: Reviewing lab results and discussing next steps in care can typically be handled through a virtual visit.
Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) and claim closure: Confirming a patient’s tolerance for full-duty work and finalizing claim closure can often be done virtually. These visits are frequently hard to schedule in person once someone has already returned to full duty, which makes telemedicine a practical option.
Certain mental health claims: Some mental health-related workers’ compensation claims don’t require a physical injury assessment, making them well suited for telemedicine.
Talk to us about when else Telemedicine would be an appropriate choice for you.
Flexibility For Your Team
Telemedicine supports continuity of care by making it easier to keep appointments on schedule, even when an in-person visit would be difficult to arrange. Things happen – patients get busy, transportation breaks down, and time-consuming in-person visits can be an undue burden, especially as you’re recovering. A virtual visit offers flexibility while still adhering to MBI’s quality of care, all while not slowing down your recovery and return-to-work plan.
When In-Person Care Is Still the Right Choice
Telemedicine is one tool among many, not a replacement for hands-on care. Physical exams, hands-on treatment, and many initial injury evaluations still call for an in-person visit. MBI’s providers determine which visits are appropriate for telemedicine on a case-by-case basis, always with the goal of providing the right level of occupational healthcare for each stage of recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a telemedicine visit as effective as an in-person appointment for a work injury?
For visits that don’t require a hands-on physical exam, such as reviewing imaging results, discussing lab work, or confirming readiness for full duty, telemedicine can be just as effective as an in-person visit. MBI’s providers only recommend a virtual visit when it fits the clinical situation.
Will a telemedicine visit affect a workers’ compensation claim?
No. A telemedicine visit is documented the same way as an in-person visit and fits into the same treatment and claims process. It is simply a different format for delivering care when a physical exam is not required.
What is needed to complete a telemedicine visit with MBI?
A telemedicine visit typically requires a smartphone, tablet, or computer with a camera and a stable internet connection. MBI’s team provides instructions for joining the virtual visit ahead of the scheduled appointment time.
Can telemedicine be used for a brand-new work injury?
Most new injuries require an in-person evaluation so a provider can perform a physical exam and assess the injury directly. Telemedicine is generally used later in the treatment process, once a physical exam is no longer the primary purpose of the visit.
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