What happens if there is a malpractice claim while I’m a locum tenens physician?
Malpractice lawsuits are a reality that many doctors and Locum tenens might have to face in their careers. This is why you should look for organizations that cover malpractice insurance.
Locum tenens malpractice coverage
A network of doctors and APNs are protected by insurance covering any medical malpractice fees incurred while on assignment. Any organization’s basic professional liability coverage offers indemnity of up to $3 million for claims filed against a single doctor or another medical professional, with limits of $1 million per occurrence. A “claims-made” insurance policy will pay for claims made at any point throughout the policy period (regardless of when the incident giving birth to the claim occurred).
In certain situations, the healthcare organization that uses a locums recruitment agency to identify Locum tenens physicians may also provide malpractice insurance for the doctors they hire. Insurance type and limits may vary by state or contract, so it’s crucial to verify your unique assignment’s coverage with your recruiter. The insurance also covers defense expenses (typically up to $25,000) incurred in administrative actions, including board investigations, arising from a locum tenens assignment.
When coverage varies
The jurisdiction’s regulations or contract terms may demand changes to the typical form of medical malpractice insurance. For example, New Mexico needs occurrence coverage rather than claims-made insurance to join the patient compensation fund, but Virginia requires more significant claims limits. Certain states have created Patient Compensation Funds to recompense persons who have suffered due to medical malpractice (PCF). The state manages these resources to compensate people who have been harmed due to medical professionals’ blunders.
Aspects that may have an impact on insurance prices
The locum tenens malpractice insurance provided by any recruitment agency only applies to claims made while the doctor was assigned to that particular firm or the organization it represents. Nothing in this section should be understood as addressing circumstances that may arise when a doctor works for a different firm. Even if agencies no longer employ a doctor when a claim is filed, they may still be covered by the insurance if the incident happened while they were working on an assignment for the company.
It is also critical to notify your recruiting agency of a claim in a timely way. A physician’s insurance coverage may also be terminated if they engage in unauthorized clinical activity. Often malpractice insurance does not cover anything linked to violence, fraud, or willful misconduct. As a result, recruiters will be in the greatest position to present prospects with the most up-to-date information on waiver eligibility, if any.
