Tele MER: medical examination reports over the phone
Tele MER explained: how insurers use phone calls for the medical examination report, which cases it suits, and how operators keep it alongside in-person medicals.
Updated November 2026
Tele MER (sometimes called a tele-medical or tele-underwriting call) is a medical examination report completed over a phone call. A trained caller, often a doctor or nurse, asks the proposer the insurer's MER questions, records the answers and the call, and submits the form.
Which cases suit tele MER
Insurers use tele MER mainly for lower-risk proposals where a questionnaire is enough, or to complete the history part of a medical when tests are done separately. When samples, an ECG or measured vitals are needed, a visit is still required.
Running tele MER well
- Confirm identity at the start of the call with details the insurer has on file.
- Record consent to the call being recorded and the data being shared with the insurer.
- Ask every question in the insurer's format, and capture details for each yes.
- Keep the recording with the case so the underwriter can check an answer.
- Track turnaround the same way as for visits: a missed call is a delay.
Tele MER vs video MER vs a visit
| Tele MER | Video MER | Home or centre visit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identity check | Verbal details | Photo ID on camera | Photo ID in person |
| Vitals and samples | No | No | Yes |
| Typical use | Questionnaire only | Questionnaire with visual check | Full medical |
Where Prechq stands
Prechq already calls proposers automatically to confirm visit slots, and runs in-person medicals with a digital MER. Tele MER calls are not part of Prechq yet. If your insurers send you tele MER cases, let us know how you handle them.