• The Genesis of TeleMER: TeleMER emerged as a solution to streamline the traditional MER process, which often involved in-person medical tests and face-to-face interviews. By shifting these interactions to a telephonic medium, TeleMER made the initial health assessment more accessible and efficient.
• Understanding the MER Test: In the context of insurance, the MER test is a comprehensive health evaluation that underwriters rely on to determine the risk profile of a proposer. It typically includes gathering medical history, current health status, and lifestyle information. TeleMER enabled these details to be collected over a phone call, bringing convenience to both the insurance company and the proposer.
• TeleMER’s Role in the Insurance Process: During a TeleMER session, trained professionals conduct a detailed interview with the proposer, asking a series of predetermined questions. These queries are designed to cover a wide range of health-related topics, ensuring that the insurer gets a clear picture of the proposer’s medical condition and risks.
• The Transition to Video-based Assessments: While TeleMER offered significant improvements over traditional methods, it had its limitations, primarily the lack of visual verification. This led to the evolution of VideoMER – a method that retains the thorough questioning of TeleMER but adds the crucial element of visual confirmation through video calls.

The TeleMER Process: Streamlining Health Assessments Over the Phone

1. Scheduling the Call:

• The TeleMER process begins with scheduling a phone call between the insurance proposer and a trained medical professional.
• This flexibility allows the proposer to choose a convenient time, thus ensuring their full attention and cooperation during the assessment.

2. Preparing for the Call:

• Proposers are advised to have relevant medical information handy, such as their medical history, current medications, and any recent test results.
• This preparation ensures that the call is efficient and that all necessary information is readily available.

3. Conducting the Interview:

• The core of the TeleMER process is the telephonic interview. During this call, the medical professional asks a series of structured questions.
• These questions cover various aspects of the proposer’s health, including medical history, lifestyle choices, and any existing conditions.

4. Gathering Detailed Information:

• The interviewer carefully records the proposer’s responses, gathering comprehensive data about their health status.
• This information is crucial for underwriters to accurately assess the risk associated with the insurance policy.

5. Addressing Queries and Concerns:

• TeleMER also provides an opportunity for proposers to ask questions and clarify any doubts they might have about the insurance process or the health information being requested.
• This two-way communication ensures transparency and builds trust between the proposer and the insurance company.

6. Documentation and Reporting:

• Post-call, the information collected is meticulously documented and sent to the insurance company’s underwriting team.
• This report forms the basis for evaluating the insurance application and determining policy terms.

7. Quality Assurance:

• Quality checks are conducted to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information gathered during the TeleMER call.
• Any discrepancies or additional requirements are addressed in follow-up communications.

Advantages and Limitations of TeleMER

TeleMER, as an early foray into digitalizing the insurance health assessment process, brought several advantages to the table while also facing certain limitations. Understanding these helps in appreciating the evolution towards more advanced methods like VideoMER and Videography.

Advantages of TeleMER:

1. Enhanced Accessibility and Convenience:

• TeleMER made the medical examination process more accessible, allowing proposers to participate in the assessment from the comfort of their homes.
• This convenience significantly reduced the time and effort required for both proposers and insurers, streamlining the overall process.

2. Time-Efficiency:

• By eliminating the need for physical appointments, TeleMER saved considerable time for both the insurance applicants and the medical professionals.
• The telephonic format allowed for quick and efficient collection of health-related information.

3. Reduced Costs:

• TeleMER helped in cutting down the costs associated with in-person medical examinations, such as travel expenses and the use of medical facilities.

4. Initial Risk Assessment:

• The process provided insurers with an initial understanding of the proposer’s health, aiding in the early stages of risk assessment and underwriting.

Limitations of TeleMER:

1. Lack of Visual Verification:

• Unlike VideoMER or Videography, TeleMER lacked the capability to visually verify the information provided by the proposer, such as physical health indicators or identity validation.

2. Limited Scope of Health Assessment:

• The telephonic interview format restricted the depth of health assessment, as it relied solely on verbal communication and self-reported information.
• Certain health parameters, such as blood pressure or weight, could not be accurately measured or verified.

3. Potential for Inaccurate Reporting:

• The reliance on proposers’ self-reported information raised concerns about the accuracy and reliability of the data collected.
• There was a risk of misunderstanding or miscommunication during the call, leading to incomplete or erroneous health records.

4. No Real-Time Medical Testing:

• TeleMER did not include any real-time medical testing, which limited its effectiveness in capturing comprehensive health data.

5. Risk of Impersonation:

• A significant concern with TeleMER was the high possibility of impersonation. Without visual verification, there was no foolproof way to ensure that the person on the call was indeed the proposer, raising concerns about the integrity of the data collected.

Transition to VideoMER and Videography: Advancing Beyond TeleMER

The evolution from TeleMER to VideoMER and Videography marks a significant leap in the insurance industry’s approach to health assessments. This transition was driven by the need to overcome the limitations inherent in TeleMER and to enhance the accuracy and reliability of the MER (Medical Examination Report) process.

1. Overcoming TeleMER Limitations:

• Recognizing the constraints of TeleMER, such as the lack of visual verification and the high risk of impersonation, the insurance industry sought more robust solutions. The need to ensure that the MER test means more than just a telephonic interview became apparent.

2. Introduction of VideoMER:

• VideoMER emerged as a sophisticated evolution of TeleMER. It retained the comprehensive questioning inherent in the MER medical test but introduced visual elements crucial for verification. This method offered a more reliable way to conduct the MER test for insurance, as it allowed underwriters to see and interact with the proposer in real-time.

3. What is MER Test in the Context of VideoMER:

• In VideoMER, the MER test involves not just a series of questions but also visual confirmation of the proposer’s identity and health status. This visual aspect significantly reduced the risk of impersonation and provided a more accurate representation of the proposer’s health.

4. Videography: A Comprehensive Approach:

• Videography further expanded on the foundations laid by VideoMER. While VideoMER addressed the visual limitations of TeleMER, Videography introduced real-time medical examinations into the process. This included live recordings of medical procedures like blood draws and vital signs measurements, ensuring an even more detailed and accurate MER medical test.

5. The Significance of the Transition:

• The transition from TeleMER to VideoMER and subsequently to Videography represents a paradigm shift in how MER tests are conducted for insurance purposes. These advancements not only increase the precision of health assessments but also enhance the overall trust and efficiency of the insurance underwriting process.

The journey from TeleMER to VideoMER and Videography illustrates the insurance industry’s commitment to adopting new technologies and methods. These advancements have transformed the way MER tests are conducted, offering a more holistic and reliable assessment of a proposer’s health and significantly reducing the potential for fraud. As we continue to innovate, the question ‘what is an MER test?’ evolves, reflecting the ongoing refinement of insurance health assessments.