Medical professional liability insurance (also referred to as medical malpractice insurance) is a type of insurance that covers medical providers for allegations related to the services they render to patients, including claims of professional negligence.
We partner with highly experienced legal counsel based on the jurisdiction and context of each case. It is important to us that our insureds have a high comfort level with their selected defense counsel, so we welcome the input of the physicians and groups we insure.
All legal costs and claims expenses are paid outside of your limit of liability. This means the full limit of your policy remains available for your protection from a judgment or settlement.
Yes. In many common instances, Indigo tail insurance coverage is free to the physicians we insure. We will waive the premium for an Extended Reporting Period Endorsement should any of the following events occur while the policyholder or insured physician is actively insured with us:
Yes. Please see a copy of the policy for the full terms, conditions, and exclusions.
Yes, the policy provides you with defense coverage for certain administrative actions.
Cyber and Medefense coverage products are automatically included (with the ability to opt out) with your Indigo policy and underwritten by Tokio Marine HCC.
Yes. We do provide coverage for all medical specialties. We do not currently insure dentists, podiatrists, or chiropractors. We understand that each medical field has its unique risks and requirements, so our policies are designed to offer robust protection across the board. From general practitioners to surgeons with highly specialized practices, Indigo is committed to ensuring that every healthcare professional has the coverage they need to practice with peace of mind.
Indigo provides the physicians we cover with experienced legal counsel and competitive pricing to ensure robust coverage at rates tailored to their specialty and practice.
Request a quote to learn more!
Yes. OmniSure, our clinical risk services partner, has a confidential helpline for advice on how to handle situations such as patient termination, non-compliance, transitions of care, regulatory or patient safety concerns, and more. Their services are complementary and encouraged.
No. OmniSure is an independent risk management consulting firm, paid for in advance by Indigo. Discussing events with OmniSure does not constitute reporting of an incident and will not meet the reporting requirements of your policy.
Medical malpractice insurance is a specialized form of professional liability insurance tailored specifically for healthcare professionals, such as doctors and nurses. It covers liability for damages resulting from medical services that lead to patient harm. This includes issues like misdiagnosis, surgical errors, and medication mistakes.
Professional liability insurance, on the other hand, is broader and applies to a wide range of professionals outside the medical field, including lawyers, accountants, and consultants. It protects against claims of negligence, errors, or failure to deliver promised services across various industries.
In essence, malpractice insurance is designed for the unique risks faced by medical professionals, while professional liability insurance covers a broader spectrum of professional services.
To obtain an insurance quote from Indigo, please fill out our submission form and we will connect you with a curated insurance broker from our proprietary network. Our brokers are equipped with the expertise to guide you through the process, assess your specific needs, and provide you with a detailed quote from us.
Malpractice occurs when a physician fails to meet the medical standard of care, resulting in harm to a patient. Medical malpractice risk management seeks to identify and mitigate issues that could rise to the level of medical malpractice claims.
The 4 C’s of medical malpractice prevention are 1) compassion, 2) communication, 3) competence, and 4) charting. They remind physicians to prioritize patient care and document thoroughly.
The 3 areas of risk management in healthcare are 1) organizational risks, 2) clinical risks, and 3) health & safety risks. Physicians are primarily concerned with clinical risks, which involve issues like medical errors.
Malpractice risk is assessed by understanding potential sources of risk, such as patient complaints and poor communication, and proactively taking steps to minimize or eliminate the issues.
Unique considerations may include the specialty-specific risks of facing a malpractice claim. Risk management strategies can also vary based on the patient population or applicable standard of care. Risk management experts help physicians navigate these considerations.
Healthcare administrators play a key role in risk management by developing the policies and procedures that guide patient care and reduce risk in practice. They establish the protocols physicians use to report issues.
To give patient informed consent, patients must know 1) their diagnosis, 2) the proposed treatment plan, 3) the risks and benefits of that treatment plan, and 4) any medically recognized alternative options.
The consent form should be dated at the time it’s signed to document that the patient consented to the treatment before it was performed.
The patient must sign the informed consent form. If the patient is not capable of providing informed consent, their surrogate decision maker signs the form on their behalf.
If a patient cannot give consent, either because it’s an emergency or because they are incapacitated, physicians may start treatment without prior informed consent. When possible, they must get consent from the patient’s surrogate decision maker.
Failing to get informed consent prior to a medical procedure can expose physicians to medical malpractice lawsuits. If a patient is harmed as a result of a procedure, and would have changed their mind about the treatment if informed of the risk, they may have grounds to sue their physician.
AI underwriting speeds up the policy approval process by automating the routine tasks traditionally performed by human underwriters. The algorithms are trained to assess risk precisely and identify details that human underwriters may miss, resulting in more accurate underwriting decisions.
Just like humans, AI underwriting systems can learn and improve over time. This ensures they make fair and accurate decisions. AI systems refine their decision-making processes based on new training data, as well as feedback from human underwriters.
AI-powered underwriting makes it possible for physicians to get medical malpractice coverage in place quickly, without the traditional application process. They receive competitive pricing that’s customized based on the way they practice medicine.
AI algorithms consider a wide range of data points to make underwriting decisions. A few examples of the data points that go into medical malpractice underwriting include a physician’s medical specialty, years of experience, geographic location, and procedures performed.
Yes, AI underwriting systems are trained to efficiently process data and consistently apply rules, offering a reliable foundation for decision-making. Human underwriters operate alongside AI to verify the system works as intended.
AI for insurance helps insurers operate more efficiently and accurately. With artificial intelligence in insurance, customers can look forward to faster service and personalized pricing.
Some of the many AI applications in insurance include accurately assessing risk, enhancing the customer experience, detecting potential fraud, quickly processing claims, and offering customized pricing.
The long-term impact of AI on insurance is uncertain, but in the future, AI may allow insurance companies to shift their focus to helping their customers avoid claims entirely. Indigo’s innovative medical malpractice coverage includes access to a third-party risk management helpline to help physicians reduce the risk of lawsuits.
As a general rule, physicians need tail insurance coverage that lasts as long as their state’s statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims. There are some exceptions to the limitation period, so it’s a good idea to consult with a lawyer to learn how long patients have to file a lawsuit.
It depends on the physician’s employer and contract. Sometimes, the employer is responsible for paying for tail coverage. In other cases, paying for tail coverage is the physician’s responsibility.
Tail insurance extends the reporting period for regular medical malpractice insurance. It’s a temporary extension to the original policy, not a separate policy.
On average, tail insurance costs about 2.5 times a physician’s annual medical malpractice premium. The cost of tail insurance is typically due upfront in one lump sum payment. Some insurers offer payment plan options.
Both types of coverage help physicians avoid medical malpractice coverage gaps, but they do so in different ways. Tail coverage extends the reporting period for a medical malpractice policy that has expired. Nose coverage, on the other hand, sets a retroactive date for when a new malpractice policy begins.
Requests for Credentialing Reports may be sent to credentialing@getindigo.com or faxed to (877) 878-9713. If you are a third party requester, please include a signed and currently dated consent to release form.
Disclaimer
Issuance of Indigo insurance coverage is subject to underwriting review and approval. Coverage may not be available in all states. Please see a copy of the policy for the full terms, conditions, and exclusions. Policy obligations are the sole responsibility of Indigo Risk Retention Group Inc. (NAIC No. 17484), Charleston, SC, in all states. Coverage scenarios are hypothetical and shown for illustrative purposes only. Coverage is dependent on the actual facts and circumstances giving rise to a claim.
Medical professional liability insurance is provided by Indigo Risk Retention Group Inc. This is not intended to be a solicitation or sale of insurance to any person not eligible for membership in the risk retention group. Risk retention groups operate under the federal Liability Risk Retention Act of 1986 and provide insurance for the common liability risk exposure of eligible group members. Different state laws may apply. Policies issued by a risk retention group may not be subject to all of the insurance laws and regulations of your state. State insurance insolvency guaranty funds are not available for risk retention groups.
Indigo Insure LLC (NPN 20758865) is an insurance agency licensed to sell property-casualty insurance products. Indigo Insure LLC and your broker will receive compensation from Indigo RRG for such sales.
A.M. Best has assigned a Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and a Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “A-” (Excellent) to Indigo Risk Retention Group Inc. The rating, in their opinion, demonstrates an excellent ability to meet ongoing insurance and senior financial obligations.
To learn more or to request a quote, email us at sales@getindigo.com