Malpractice insurance?

I always carry my own policy, most employers provide one, but that policy serves the interest of the employer not of the NP. I have noticed that my insurance rates have risen 50% in the last 2 years without any claimes made against me.

Best way is to have your own insurance policy paid for by the employer. Then if you want to moonlight you are covered. Always get your own policy if possible not an addendum to your employers. If there is a problem you want your own lawyer paid for by the insurance. If you have to use the same lawyer as the employer you may get sacrificed to save them.

There are two types of coverage occurence and claims made. An occurence policy pays for any claim that happened during the policy period no matter when it is made. For this you do not need a tail. A claims made policy only pays for claims made when the policy is in effect. This type needs a tail. You should never go without a tail. Make sure any contract not only provides for the insurance but also the tail. Needless to say get this in writing.

As far as cost, the only type of policies currently being written as far as I can tell is claims made. The policy will start fairly low and increase each year (roughly double) until year four or five. This is because the insurer is facing increasing exposure each year. In addition NP's (and PA's) are increasingly being targeted in lawsuits which increases liability.

David Carpenter, PA-C