Gov. Evers, Insurance Commissioner Ask Malpractice Insurers to Cover Telemedicine and Out-of-State Providers

Madison, Wis. – At the direction of Governor Tony Evers, Insurance Commissioner Mark Afable issued a request to medical malpractice insurers today aimed at expanding access to telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic and at ensuring retired and out-of-state health care workers can get the medical malpractice coverage in order to support the state’s response to COVID-19. Doctors are required to have medical malpractice insurance to provide care in Wisconsin. The request from the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) is aimed at making sure Wisconsin residents can access the care they need at home and at increasing the state’s capacity to care for patients throughout the public health emergency.

“It’s all hands on deck,” said Gov. Evers. “This disease is already putting a strain on doctors and hospitals in other states. We need to do everything we can to make sure that we can care for patients in Wisconsin.”

“Telemedicine is becoming a big part of how our healthcare system operates during this pandemic,” said Insurance Commissioner Afable. “Doctors shouldn’t have to worry that their malpractice insurance doesn’t cover telemedicine. And doctors coming to our state to care for Wisconsinites shouldn’t have to struggle to get the malpractice insurance they need. We’re calling on medical malpractice insurers to support the state’s changing health care needs.”

This request for action follows Gov. Evers’ Emergency Order #16 issued on March 27, 2020, which allows any health care provider with a valid and current license issued by another state to practice under that license and within the scope of that license in Wisconsin without first obtaining a temporary license from the Department of Safety and Professional Services, so long as certain conditions are met.

A copy of the request for action is available here.

Created by the Legislature in 1870, Wisconsin’s Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) was vested with broad powers to ensure that the insurance industry responsibly and adequately met the insurance needs of Wisconsin citizens. Today, OCI’s mission is to lead the way in informing and protecting the public and responding to its insurance needs.

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