malpractice insurance

kmchugh · Aug 31, 2005

While I don't know the specifics of cost of malpractice insurance in Florida, don't let that alone slow you down. The fact is that most places you work will pay your malpractice premiums. About the only people I know paying their own premiums are those in practice for themselves, such as CRNA's working locum tenens.

Kevin McHugh

yoga crna · Sep 1, 2005

Malpractice insurance is needed for practice, but who pays for it is another story. Kevin is correct in his answer and I would like to elaborate. When I was employed, my employer paid for it, now that I am self-employed, I pay for my own. However, it is a business expenses and I adjust my anesthesia fees to cover all of my business expenses. Currently, malpractice insurance premiums for CRNAs are based on a state by state basis, with wide variations.

Clearly, I don't like writing that check every month for over $1300, but I want to continue practicing and it is required. By the way, I have never been sued.

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BlaineCM · Sep 1, 2005

Thanks so much for the information. I didn't know the employers would pay the premiums, this really clears things up for me.

yoga crna · Sep 1, 2005

Under the laws of agency, employers are resposible for the acts of their employees. They have malpractice insurance on their employees to cover that responsibility. Of course, that applies only to acts done within the scope of that employment. I think it is folly for anyone who is employed full time to buy a separate insurance policy, unless they are working outside the full time practice. I know many RNs have their own malpractice policy, because they think it gives them extra protection. My question to them: would you buy your own if it cost $1300/month?

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BigDave · Sep 6, 2005

I was reading an article concerning this. Yes, hospitals do cover employees, but the representation that they obtain look to the hospital's best interests first. If they see fit to settle the case, they will--regardless of what it does to your record. It will show as a judgement and will go to the NPDB on your record. In some cases it may be advised to hire your own lawyer--whether you have hospital/your own insurance or not.

BlaineCM · Sep 6, 2005

For give me for I am clueless about malpractice insurance. So it is possible to get by with your employer paying your entire premium? Is there a deductible to be paid? What if the CRNA wants to take out their own policy to supplement that that the employer provides? Will it still cost over $1300 a month?

yoga crna · Sep 6, 2005

Insurance issues are very complicated, which is why I usually defer to AANA Insurance Services for information and advise.

Currently, there are very few insurance companies that write CRNA policies and there is no competition for good rates. So you are forced to go with whatever is out there.

Regarding who pays for the insurance is very negotiable. If you are employed, you may be able to get your employer to pay for a private policy for you that would cover you outside the scope of your employment. I think that is rare and that most employers cover CRNAs under a blanket policy that covers all employees. I am in private practice and my corporation pays my malpractice insurance and it is considered a deductible business expense.

I do agree that if you are hospital employed they may not have a lot of control how a malpractice defense is handled and I know of at least one case with a poor result for the CRNA. I do advise all CRNAs to become ACTIVELY involved with the attorneys and insurance adjusters when they are being defended in a malpractice action. If you are involved they are less likely to act without your consent. Of course, you would have the right to have your own attorney, but you need to have someone who understands med mal and you need to have the resources to pay their fees.

A little piece of home-spun advise: don't get too hung up on insurance issues. It will drive you crazy and it is an area where you have very little control. Learn how to read the insurance contract, carefully read the information provided by AANA Insurance Services and then concentrate on delivering safe anesthesia.

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