Malpractice Proof for National Guard

[lp430]

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I am currently credentialing at a hospital for a locums gig in the ER. This current hospital is requiring proof of malpractice insurance for both my civilian jobs and my time as a doc in the Army National Guard. Providing proof for my civilian jobs is no problem. However, I have no proof of malpractice coverage for the National Guard. I spoke with my AGR NCO yesterday who told me essentially the same thing. I am only "covered" during AT and not during drill weekends. There is no COI like there is for a civilian job.

I tried explaining this to my recruiter/hospital but they are sticking to their requirement. I have never had this at any of the other hospitals where I have been credentialed. Has anyone heard of this?

 

[Saddleshoes]

You are dealing with a credentials secretary that does not know anything about the world behind the credentials handbook. Get a memo from your NG commander telling the secretary that malpractice insurance is not required for the Guard.

This is what happens when 95% of society lives a cushy life and forgets about the 5% of society "Manning the walls".

 

[pgg]

Yes, it's a thing.

Most places are satisfied if you just give them the dates of your federal employment, and tell them that your malpractice insurer is the Federal Tort Claims Act.

Some places require more documentation. In the Navy, there's a process for getting a "Letter of Malpractice Verification and Claims History" which is a combined document that both proves you were covered during particular span of dates, and notes any settled claims you were involved in (or the absence of such). Usually takes them a couple days to get it prepared and sent to you. They'll also send direct to the credentialing authority if necessary. You have to request it yourself; they won't respond to 3rd party requests.

Keep asking around the Guard ... I'm not at all surprised that some random NCO doesn't know anything about it. Maybe someone here will know the process. If you can't figure it out, PM me and I'll give you the contact info for the Navy people that handle it. They might know who to contact at ANG.

 

[notdeadyet]

You do not have medical malpractice because you are working for the government. It is the same as when someone has a state or VA job. You just list Self-Insure for a federal employer.

 

[lp430]

Thanks for the responses, everyone. I have tried to explain this to them and I feel like I am talking to a rock. I did speak with a civilian contractor who does military credentialing for facilities in my state. I am trying to have them talk so I can stop banging my head against a wall.

 

[Chetamine]

Yes, it's a thing.

Most places are satisfied if you just give them the dates of your federal employment, and tell them that your malpractice insurer is the Federal Tort Claims Act.

Some places require more documentation. In the Navy, there's a process for getting a "Letter of Malpractice Verification and Claims History" which is a combined document that both proves you were covered during particular span of dates, and notes any settled claims you were involved in (or the absence of such). Usually takes them a couple days to get it prepared and sent to you. They'll also send direct to the credentialing authority if necessary. You have to request it yourself; they won't respond to 3rd party requests.

Keep asking around the Guard ... I'm not at all surprised that some random NCO doesn't know anything about it. Maybe someone here will know the process. If you can't figure it out, PM me and I'll give you the contact info for the Navy people that handle it. They might know who to contact at ANG.

Who exactly do you contact in the Navy for the above mentioned document? Thanks.

 

[JCJ_Surgery]

There might be a state law in your state that provides FTCA-like protection for your work in the National Guard in state status (ie not eligible for FTCA coverage) & that might be your answer. In my state you would be a state employee while in state status and you would have immunity from malpractice claims as a state employee. That can vary from state to state; maybe you could discuss with a knowledgeable legal officer.

One thing about a post above - if you are working at a VA as a VA (ie federal) employee, you are covered by FTCA and don’t need (and probably can’t get for that risk) malpractice insurance. If you work for the VA as a contractor you might need your own insurance - depends on the contract.