What is Malpractice Insurance and why do Surgeons need it?
When a claim of medical negligence is made against a Surgeon, financial and legal fees may follow. Those fees can cause a disturbance or even stop a Surgeon from carrying out their duties day to day. With Malpractice Insurance for Surgeons, these fees can be covered.
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What types of Malpractice Insurance are available for Surgeons?
Medical Malpractice Insurance for Surgeons is a form of Professional Indemnity Insurance tailored around the risks prone to Surgeons. The main policy will change dependent on the insurer but there are three main types to look out for:
Run-off cover
Which can continue to cover the Surgeons or Neurosurgeons, long after they have stopped practicing. The length after is normally set by the insurer and is set with the Neurosurgery Malpractice Insurance cost or Surgeon Malpractice Insurance cost. Run-off cover can only be available as a continuation of the policy after it has lapsed or when the Surgeon has ceased trading. There cannot be a gap in the cover.
Occurrence policies
These can vary in their limits each year but can cover incidents regardless of when the claim was reported as long as the incident occurred during the time the policy was in place. The Malpractice Insurance cost for Surgeons can be higher with occurrence policies because of this extended, longer-term cover.
Claims made coverage
More common but unlike the occurrence based policies, they can only cover claims made during the policy period. If an incident occurred during this period but, was reported after the fact, then it would not likely fall under the polices coverage.
How much coverage do Surgeons typically need?
When looking for cover, it’s best to look at what risks Surgeons typically face to determine the amount of coverage needed. Depending on the scope of the services they provide, the type of Surgeon (e.g., Neurosurgeons), and whether they own a clinic or have nurses working directly for them, surgeons will have different risks. The cover we commonly see within Medical Malpractice Insurance for Neurosurgeons and Surgeons, are:
- Professional Indemnity
- Breach of professional confidentiality
- Libel and slander
- Run-off for 5 years (for death, retirement or disability)
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FAQ
What factors influence the cost of Malpractice Insurance for Surgeons?
Malpractice Insurance cost for Neurosurgeons and Surgeons can vary on the type of policy cover the surgeon is looking for and the amount of cover needed. Insurers can also factor in claims histories so keeping standards compliant with the General Medical Council’s (GMC) regulations will help reduce risks. Some insurers will also base costs on the number of patients a Surgeon has, and others may consider the surgeon’s turnover.
Does Malpractice Insurance cover all types of lawsuits or claims?
Surgeon Malpractice Insurance does not cover all types of lawsuits and claims. It is always recommended to talk to your insurer, insurance broker or to directly read the terms of your policy agreement. Misdiagnosis, injury and breach of confidentiality that lead to bodily or mental harm to a patient is typically what falls under Medical Malpractice Insurance.
What is the process for filing a claim under Malpractice Insurance?
When looking to make a claim with Medical Malpractice Insurance for Surgeons, the first step is to notify your insurer immediately or a broker like Enhance, who will contact your insurer on your behalf. Then any other parties that can support your through your claims process being solicitors, insurance brokers or, like with Enhance, a claims team.
We have an in-house team dedicated to helping with the claims process surgeons or other medical professionals may have to face. This team can help check that you are making the best case for your claim to the insurer and help surgeons unfamiliar with the process.
Is Malpractice Insurance mandatory for Surgeons?
While not a legal requirement by the UK government, Medical Malpractice Insurance for Surgeons or Indemnity Insurance specifically, is a requirement for memberships in regulatory bodies. The GMC states “You must make sure you have adequate and appropriate insurance or indemnity arrangements in place covering the full scope of your medical practice in the UK.” on their Insurance, indemnity and medico-legal support web page.
How does tail coverage work in Malpractice Insurance for Surgeons?
Tail coverage or run-off cover, can ensure coverage after a surgeon has retired, ceased practicing due to disability or death. These terms normally state how long the run-off cover lasts. This cover can also increase the Malpractice Insurance cost for Surgeons and Neurosurgeons. At Enhance, we arrange a 5-year run off cover, but the Surgeon must have had a continuous policy in place.
What should Surgeons look for when choosing a Malpractice Insurance provider?
When looking for Malpractice Insurance for Surgeons, different insurers will have different amounts of coverage. Some may have set policies whereas others may have customisable policies where surgeons can include or take away cover that may not be applicable to them.
In Need of More Advice on Your Insurance Cover?
When working in a specialist profession such as Surgery, you need to ensure you have the right protection at all times.
Here at Enhance insurance, we’ll aim to match you with the exact insurance you need as a registered Surgeon.
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