[Video Consultation Hours in the Statutory Accident Insurance - Application Possibilities and Economic Evaluation]. / Videosprechstunden im berufsgenossenschaftlichen Heilverfahren ­ Anwendungsmöglichkeiten und ökonomische Evaluation.

OBJECTIVES: Video consultations are becoming more and more important for health care providers as they enable new treatment options. Since 2017 video consultations have been used by the public health insurance companies in Germany. However, similar options are lacking in the employer's liability insurance association (BG in Germany) health insurance system. The aim of this article is to present and discuss possible applications of video consultations in the latter system and to evaluate economic advantages. METHODS: Possible applications of video consultations are discussed in the context of feasibility, potential benefits and the existing scale of fees for physicians (in Germany UV-GOÄ). RESULTS: Video consultations can be used for follow-up evaluations as well as preparation for initial medical examinations especially in complex cases and for case conferences. Even though video consultations are not included in the reimbursement system, similar CPT codes (current procedural terminology) already do exist. CONCLUSIONS: Video consultations might help improve the quality and reduce the costs of the public health insurance system. Furthermore, since video consultations can be expected to become more important in the future, they should be included as a standard tool in the employer's liability insurance association insurance system and an adequate reimbursement system be established.