What is a Medical Malpractice policy?

A Medical Malpractice policy provides vital protection against the financial loss, legal costs, and damages that may arise from claims of clinical negligence or malpractice in the provision of healthcare services.

While individual practitioners may have their own medical indemnity policies, these often only cover small numbers of staff in very limited circumstances. In most cases, the corporate entity itself requires a Medical Malpractice policy to properly protect the business, its practice staff, and its principals from civil liability claims. Whether you operate a Day Hospital, General Practice, or Allied Health clinic, this policy ensures your operations are safeguarded, providing peace of mind and access to around-the-clock medico-legal advice when you need it most.

Exposures and risks

Medicine and the broader healthcare industry have become increasingly “corporatised”. The directors, officers, or principal owners of these corporate entities and service companies can be held vicariously liable for the acts, errors, and omissions of their staff: including receptionists, practice managers, nurses, and contracted medical practitioners.

Medical Malpractice claims are also increasingly arising due to issues and complaints that extend well beyond traditional clinical treatment. For example, a simple dosage error inaccurately recorded by a contracted nurse could lead to severe patient complications and a multi-million dollar settlement, leaving the practice directly exposed to substantial payouts. Without adequate cover, these unforeseen events can have a devastating financial and operational impact on your livelihood.

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What does the PSC Mediprotect Medical Malpractice policy cover?

The policy primarily provides comprehensive cover for civil liabilities, including malpractice, and responds to claims for compensation and associated legal expenses resulting from a breach of professional duty. At PSC Mediprotect, we help adapt your policy to ensure it meets your specific operational needs.

Our Medical Malpractice cover includes a wide range of coverages, such as:

• Civil Liability
  Protection against legal costs and damages arising from claims of malpractice or negligence.
• Vicarious Liability
  Protection for the entity regarding medical practitioners, students, and allied health practitioners providing services on behalf of your business.
• Investigation & Enquiries Costs
  Cover for the legal costs associated with representation at official investigations and enquiries, as well as approved costs incurred in investigating an incident that may give rise to a claim.
• Fraud & Medicare Fraud
  Cover for theft, fidelity, and misappropriation of funds by employees, with specific sublimits for Medicare Benefit Fraud.
• Free Legal Consultation
  Free legal consultation per policy period from specialised healthcare solicitors on matters relating to Health Care Services.
• Defamation
  Cover for liability incurred to a third party as a result of unintentional defamation, libel, or slander.
• Public Relations Cover
  Sub-limited cover to retain a PR consultant to mitigate reputational damage following a claim.
• Loss of Documents & Privacy
  Cover responding to the loss of documents, as well as privacy complaints and breaches.