Professional
Liability Insurance For Nurse Practitioners in Florida: Two Issues: Policies
and Bad Information in Print:
In late November
and early December, 2005, Marsh Affinity Group Services stopped writing new policies for new NP's in Florida -
the underwriter, Chicago Insurance Co has held this up. As you know Marsh is the ANA affiliated insurance carrier.
A couple years ago NSO did the same thing. If you have coverage now, it may be changed from occurence to claims made
only policies!
Marsh reported claims
are up for Nurse Practitioners, but Marsh is trying to work with Chicago Insurance Co. and others to find new underwriters
for NPs in Florida. At this time, only CM&F is writing new policies in Florida administered by AIG that is available
for new or relocating NPs to Fl. Marsh representative to contact is Bridget Shopp at 1-800-900-9772, ext.
34209. Perhaps the increase in claims against NPs in Florida is due to first the
litigious environment here in Florida and because we are the deeper pockets. We hav eno choice in the level of limits provided-
it's one deal sold. Most NPs carry 1million/3million in coverage while physicians carry as little as $100,000 and many docs
are "going bare". Florida is the only state where physicians can "go bare" (actually they have a provision for this) and where
physicians do not have to carry liability insurance to have hospital staff privileges. FNPN plans to meet with
other nursing groups to address this with the Insurance Commissioner, and key legislators to see what might be done to resolve
this.
Secondly, for medical practices covered by FPIC - see that document they have called "Physician Extender Liability"
written to inform docs of the problems supervising NP's and PA's. It's full of errors. Even states that Florida
NP's can be SUPERVISED by PA's. www.fpic.com -go to the risk management page.
Who are you insured with?
Any problems or Issues?
How has your practice changed due to this?
Please write us and let us know: FLoridaNPNetwork@bellsouth.net
