Should Physician Assistants Purchase Their Own Malpractice Insurance? - Risk Management Monthly

Mark Navin, a PA, wonders about the advisability of purchasing his own malpractice insurance policy. He is employed by a hospital but is concerned about challenges to his license if brought before a medical board as a result of malpractice litigation. Yearly costs of an individual policy range widely, from $1,230 to $6,500.

The wide range in costs likely represents substantial variability in coverage. The general consensus is that the likelihood of being in a situation that jeopardizes your license to practice is quite low, particularly in the ED setting where a physician is likely to be the primary defendant. What's more, the rate of claims and payouts involving PAs is very low.

Both panelists suggest that, if it will help you to sleep at night, surely the lower cost policy would be sufficient.

Dr. Henry provides a reason NOT to buy separate malpractice insurance -- involvement in a situation other than malpractice (like defending yourself in front of a licensure board) will not be covered by most policies. He also notes that he has never seen a situation in which a PA employed by a hospital has lost "a dime" due to malpractice. It's not likely that a PA employed in an ED will bear the primary responsibility for a malpractice lawsuit.

Finally, the panelists cite a quote appearing at the bottom of Mr. Navin's email --- "Politicians and diapers need to be changed often - and for the same reason."