MedMal Coverage Outside the ED

[Happy3nding]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Is it possible to get MedMal coverage when practicing outside the ED? For example, you decide to trade 6 hours/month of routine checkups to a co-op in return for groceries. How do you get covered for those 6 hours just in case one of the hippies decides to sue you.

 

[NERDY]

I don't think routine "check ups" fall under the scope of EM as we aren't trained in primary care.

 

[deleted109597]

Any malpractice company will take your money.

It will probably cost more than the groceries.

 

[Happy3nding]

I don't think routine "check ups" fall under the scope of EM as we aren't trained in primary care.

And Lipo isn't under the scope of anesthesiology(insert other specialty here) but I see it all the time.

So you think the average emergency physician can't do a routine checkup?

____

as a follow-up question, so there is no malpractice insurance type that is all inclusive and covers you in every practice setting from working in the ED to your concierge practice you do on the side.

 

[RustedFox]

And Lipo isn't under the scope of anesthesiology(insert other specialty here) but I see it all the time.

So you think the average emergency physician can't do a routine checkup?

____

as a follow-up question, so there is no malpractice insurance type that is all inclusive and covers you in every practice setting from working in the ED to your concierge practice you do on the side.

Your follow-up hit it on the head; the medmal policies are very particular in what you do and do not do in the setting of "EM". Sure, you can go into biz for yourself, and many do, but be very careful about the language in your medmal policy. Is there any 'one big umbrella' that will cover you in 'every practice setting' ? Not likely. I'm not going to say 'no', because I haven't looked myself; but it sounds pretty far-out from where I'm sitting.

 

[Birdstrike]

Is it possible to get MedMal coverage when practicing outside the ED? For example, you decide to trade 6 hours/month of routine checkups to a co-op in return for groceries. How do you get covered for those 6 hours just in case one of the hippies decides to sue you.

The answers to these questions can be found with a simple phone call to your med-mal carrier. Either such activities are covered (likely), or you can pay more for a rider to get extra coverage, if needed. As long as you are capable of doing whatever you are doing, I'm sure you can get coverage. I'm sure doing what the OP is describing, which are basically "well checks" in people who aren't sick, would carry a level of liability much lower than seeing critical people in an ED shift. I don't think it would scare any med-mal carrier. It's not like your proposing to open a cash-pay, back-alley brain-surgery and glut-filler enterprise (though you wouldn't be the first, if you did).

I don't think you would have any trouble getting med-mal coverage for "6 hours/month of routine checkups".

You'd be doing nothing different than when you evaluate all the unsick people in the ED who "just want to get checked out" for whatever random reason (or complete lack of reason). "Sir, you blood pressure is elevated, you need to follow up with an internist within 7 days, here are some names......or Sir, this burning pain in your check might not be reflux, it could be your heart, we'd be happy to call 911 for you..." It's not that hard.

The lines between specialties often are blurred anyways, with some grey areas.

You'll be able to do it.


(By the way, are you really having that much trouble paying for groceries, that you need a "shifts for Wheaties" exchange program? I'm sure fellow SDNers here could donate some Ramen noodle packets for you, if you've fallen are hard times.)