Video MER - More intelligence with Savings

Video MER, or Video based Medical Examination Report, is a process in which insurance companies use video technology to remotely conduct medical examinations for applicants or proposers, using qualified medical professionals. This can be done through the use of video conferencing tools.

Insurance companies may use Video MER to reduce costs and improve efficiency by eliminating the need for in-person medical exams. It can also be used to quickly assess the medical condition of an applicant, which can help the company make informed decisions about coverage and sums assured.
Video MER can be especially useful for insurance companies that need to review medical exams for applicants or proposers, who are located in remote or underserved areas, or who have mobility or transportation issues that make it difficult for them to attend an in-person exam.

How effective is Video MER against Physical MER?

Video Medical Exam Report (Video MER) and Physical Medical Exam Report (Physical MER) are both methods that insurance companies use to conduct medical examinations on applicants aspiring to get insured. Both methods can be effective in certain situations, but it is important to consider the specific needs and circumstances of the policyholder or applicant when deciding which method to use.

One advantage of Video MER is that it allows insurance companies to review medical exams remotely, which can be more convenient and accessible for policyholders or applicants who are located in remote or underserved areas, or who have mobility or transportation issues. Video MER can also help to reduce the risk of exposure to infectious diseases by eliminating the need for in-person visits.

On the other hand, Physical MER may be necessary in situations where a more thorough and in-depth examination is required. For example, if a policyholder or applicant has a complex medical condition that requires a hands-on examination or specialized testing, Physical MER may be more appropriate.

In general, the effectiveness of Video MER versus Physical MER will depend on the specific needs and circumstances of the policyholder or applicant, as well as the medical condition being evaluated. Insurance companies should carefully consider these factors when deciding which method to use for reviewing medical exams.

Does Video MER help prevent the nexus between the medical professional and the proposer?

Video Medical Examination Report (Video MER) can help to reduce the potential for a nexus between a medical professional and a proposer by eliminating the need for in-person medical exams. In a Video MER process, the proposert can participate in the medical exam remotely, using a telemedicine platform or other video conferencing tool. This can help to prevent the medical professional and proposer from having direct contact, which can reduce the risk of any potential conflict of interest or influence.

It is important to note, however, that while Video MER can help to reduce the potential for a nexus between a phlebotomist and a proposer, it may not completely eliminate the risk. Insurance companies should carefully review the policies and procedures they have in place to ensure that the medical exam review process is fair, impartial, and objective.

Can recordings of video MER’s help insurance companies offer lower premiums and higher sum assured?

Video MER can also help insurance companies to make more informed decisions about coverage by providing a more comprehensive view of the policyholder or proposer’s medical condition. By reviewing medical exams in real time, insurance companies can ask questions and gather additional information as needed, which can help to provide a more accurate assessment of the policyholder or applicant’s health.

In some cases, the use of Video MER may allow insurance companies to offer lower premiums and higher sum assured to policyholders or applicants. However, the specific impact on premiums and sum assured will depend on a variety of factors, including the policyholder or proposer’s medical history, age, lifestyle, and other risk factors. Ultimately, the goal of Video MER is to provide a more efficient and effective way for insurance companies to review medical exams, rather than to directly impact premiums and sum assured.

So, would insurance companies need to store the recordings?

It is common for insurance companies to store the recordings of Video Medical Examination Reports (Video MERs) as part of their records and documentation. These recordings could then be used as a reference for future evaluations and decisions related to coverage and sums assured.

There is also a legal or regulatory requirement by IRDA (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India) that mandates the retention of Video MER recordings, for a period of three years.

In addition to any legal or regulatory requirements, insurance companies may choose to store Video MER recordings for their own internal purposes, such as for quality control, training, or to support future decisions about coverage and sums assured.

It is important for insurance companies to carefully manage the storage and retention of Video MER recordings in accordance with any applicable laws and regulations, as well as their own policies and procedures. This can help to ensure the privacy and security of policyholders and applicants, as well as the integrity and reliability of the insurance company’s records.

Do Insurance Companies benefit from Video MER, and how?

Insurance Companies can benefit from Video Medical Exam Review (Video MER) in a number of ways. Some potential benefits of Video MER for underwriters include:

Increased efficiency: Video MER allows them to review medical exams remotely, which can save time and reduce the need for in-person visits. This can help to improve the efficiency of the underwriting process.
Improved accuracy: By reviewing medical exams in real time, doctors can ask questions and gather additional information as needed, which can help to provide a more accurate assessment of a policyholder or applicant’s health.
Reduced costs: Video MER can help to reduce the costs associated with conducting in-person medical exams, such as travel expenses, facility rentals, and other logistics.
Greater convenience: Video MER can be more convenient for policyholders or applicants who are located in remote or underserved areas, or who have mobility or transportation issues.
Reduced risk of exposure to infectious diseases: By reviewing medical exams remotely, underwriters can reduce the risk of exposure to infectious diseases, which can be especially important during times of pandemic or other public health emergencies.

Improve Medical Underwriting by including MER Checks?

The significance of MER checks lies in their ability to uphold the integrity and precision of medical underwriting. AI-driven solutions revolutionize this process by ensuring comprehensive and meticulous evaluations of Medical Examination Reports. These AI technologies, by analyzing extensive data and utilizing advanced algorithms, can detect discrepancies, authenticate information, and validate health status more efficiently than traditional methods.

Advantages of AI-enhanced MER checks:

Higher accuracy in identifying health discrepancies.
Reduced manual errors and biases.
Faster processing and analysis of medical data.
Consistency across different reports and cases.
Enhanced ability to detect potential fraud or misinformation.

Leveraging AI for MER checks significantly benefits both insurance companies and policyholders by providing a more accurate and efficient review process.

How important is Face Match during a Medical Examination?

Comparing the face in an identity proof to the face in a video during a Video Medical Exam Report (Video MER) can help to reduce the risk of identity fraud. By verifying the identity of the policyholder or applicant through a face match, insurance companies can confirm that the person participating in the Video MER is indeed the individual whose identity has been provided.

However, it is important to note that a face match alone may not be sufficient to completely prevent identity fraud. There are a number of other steps that insurance companies can take to reduce the risk of identity fraud, such as verifying the authenticity of identity documents, checking for red flags or inconsistencies in the information provided, and using other identity verification methods such as biometric authentication.

Can a Video Examination detect Heart Rate?

QuicSolv’s video conferencing solution – Remolin, has the ability to detect heart rate in real time using the proposer’s camera to capture images of the face and then analyzing the changes in the size of the blood vessels in the face as the heart beats.

The technique works by tracking the movement of the blood vessels in the face and measuring the changes in their size as the heart pumps blood through the body. This information is then used to calculate the heart rate. This can be a useful feature for insurance companies that are conducting Video Medical Exam Reviews (Video MERs) as part of the underwriting or sums assured process.

Can Heart Rate be used a tool to detect underlying Medical issues?

The idea of using heart rate as a tool during investigations is based on the understanding that anxiety and stress can affect a person’s heart rate, and monitoring changes in heart rate can potentially reveal important information about a person’s emotional state.

During an investigation, an investigator may use various techniques to induce stress or anxiety in a person in order to elicit a specific response. By monitoring the person’s heart rate in real time, the investigator can see how the person is responding physiologically to different lines of questioning or stimuli.

For example, if the person’s heart rate spikes significantly in response to a particular question or topic, the investigator may infer that the person is feeling anxious or stressed about that topic. This information can then be used to adjust the questioning strategy in real time, in order to either ease the person’s anxiety or to further explore the topic that is causing the emotional response.

It’s worth noting that heart rate alone cannot be relied upon as conclusive evidence of deception or guilt, as many factors can influence a person’s heart rate. However, when used in conjunction with other investigative techniques and tools, real-time heart rate monitoring can provide valuable insights into a person’s emotional state and help guide questioning strategy.

Geo-tagging and Geo-fencing

Geo tagging and geo fencing can be powerful tools for insurance companies operating in high-risk areas in India. Geo tagging involves adding location information to digital media, while geo fencing creates virtual boundaries around specific locations using GPS or RFID technology.

By using these tools during video calls, insurance companies can verify the location of the call and tailor insurance policies based on the location. For example, they can offer higher coverage for calls taking place in high-risk areas, and detect fraudulent activity to reduce the risk of fraudulent claims.

To enable geo tagging and geo fencing during video calls, GPS data is embedded in video calling apps. The accuracy of geo fencing varies depending on the technology and conditions under which it is used, with GPS typically being the most accurate. By carefully implementing geo tagging and geo fencing during video calls, insurance companies can better assess risk, verify claims, and improve customer experience without compromising individuals’ privacy or security.

Take Away

In addition to reducing costs and improving efficiency, Video MER can also help insurance companies to better serve their applicants by providing a more convenient and accessible way to report medical exams. It can also help to reduce the risk of exposure to infectious diseases by allowing insurance companies to conduct medical exams remotely, rather than requiring in-person visits.