Physician Assistant Malpractice Insurance
Protect your career and reputation completely.
Berxi™ offers industry-leading medical malpractice insurance with the speed and ease that you’ve come to expect from modern, technology-focused companies. The efficiency we’ve built into the process means lower prices. (On average, we save customers 20%.)* You can get a quick quote and buy a policy that’s effective today, or up to a year in advance. And since Berxi is part of Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI), you can feel secure in knowing that you’re partnering with a company that’s focused on the long term.
Why Should I Choose Berxi for My Medical Malpractice Insurance?
At Berxi, we’re working to create a better insurance experience for physician assistants by offering affordable coverage and outstanding service. Here are a few things that set us apart:
- Financial Stability: BHSI is part of Berkshire Hathaway’s National Indemnity group of insurance companies, consisting of National Indemnity and its affiliates, which hold financial strength ratings of A++ from AM Best and AA+ from Standard & Poor’s.
- Industry-Leading Claims Support: With a nationwide network of experienced claims handlers, our team will be right there to help you navigate the process if a claim is ever filed against you.
- Competitive Pricing: Buying direct from us can save customers as much as 20% — and, in some cases, even more.*
- Simplified Experience: We’ve created a modern and intuitive digital insurance experience. You’ll get your policy documents as soon as you purchase, and you’ll be able to access your online account 24 / 7. We also aim to cut the jargon and talk to you like the smart, professional HUMAN that you are.
Why Might I Need Physician Assistant Malpractice Insurance?
Things happen. Mistakes may get made, or a patient (or their family) may simply want to blame someone for a difficulty they’re having. Ultimately, it’s important to protect one of your biggest assets — your career. You can rest easy knowing that the team at Berxi will be looking into your claim and providing you with the resources to protect you.
My Hospital/Practice Offers Malpractice Insurance to Its Physician Assistants. Do I Need More?
You should consider having your own med mal policy to protect your interests. Even if your employer provides coverage, here are some important things to consider:
- A fellow employee could submit a claim against you. Your company’s policy may exclude coverage for claims of one employee against another employee.
- If you’ve changed jobs and a claim is filed against you for actions while you were with your previous employer, your prior company’s policy may no longer cover you.
- Your employer’s policy may not cover your lost wages that accrue while you attend legal proceedings.
- If a number of employees are named in the same claim, your employer’s policy may not have adequate limits to protect you and your fellow employees.
Having your own policy can help you feel more comfortable if a claim is filed against you. With your own policy, you’ll have access to your own legal representation, and the resources of the policy aren’t shared among multiple insureds.
How Much Would a Physician Assistant Insurance Policy Cost?
Medical malpractice policies for physician assistants typically start at $1,757 a year. However, the price depends on a number of factors, including — but not limited to — how much coverage you want and where you practice, as well as your years of experience, education, and time spent on the job.**
The best way to get an accurate idea of what your policy would cost is by filling out our quick online application to receive a quote. The process takes a minute or two, and — if you choose to purchase — your policy can go into effect any day you’d like, including today.
We also offer the option to pay in installments.
As a PA, What Do I Need to Look for in a Malpractice Policy?
There are a number of key things to consider before purchasing a medical malpractice policy. For example:
- Look at the carrier. Is it financially sound?
- Look at your limits of liability. What are you required to carry?
- Look at the coverage extensions. What’s provided beyond the basic malpractice insurance?
- Look at the price of the policy. Does this feel reasonable for the stability offered and protection given?
Why Doesn’t Berxi Ask for My Supervising Physician/Surgeon on the Application?
Our goal is to make the application experience as quick as possible. We don’t ask a number of questions that our competitors ask because we don’t feel that they’re essential to getting you a quote. That’s another reason why we’re different.
Alyson was extremely helpful. I was so relieved that she was able to rectify my issue appropriately (and in a timely manner). She made my day much better now that I don’t have to worry about this. Also she sent me a customized receipt to send to my job. She went out of her way to assist me.
What’s Covered Under Berxi Professional Liability – Healthcare
Industry Coverage
If you work as an advanced practice or allied health medical professional, medical malpractice coverage insures you against claims of negligence or of making a mistake that caused bodily harm to another. This includes providing you with a lawyer to defend yourself and the funds you can use to pay judgments or settlements.*
AMOUNT COVERED: Typical limits of liability range from $500,000 per claim/$1 million aggregate to $2 million per claim/$6 million aggregate.
EXAMPLE: A patient sues you for medical malpractice, along with the entire team involved in their care. In this case, Berxi retains a lawyer for you and pays the lawyer’s fees.
*All instances provided that the complaint is covered under this policy.
If a claim is filed against you, we’ll retain a lawyer for you from our network of defense attorneys specializing in medical malpractice. We’ll also pay for related defense costs (e.g., lawyer fees, court fees, expert witness costs).
Note that these defense costs are outside the limits of your insurance. This means that their services don’t cut into the settlement fees you may need to pay after a ruling.*
AMOUNT COVERED: Provided in addition to your policy’s limits of insurance.
EXAMPLE: You’re a self-employed NP, and you decide to select policy limits of $1 million (per claim)/$3 million (for all claims). One day, someone files a claim of malpractice against you. As part of your med mal policy, we’ll retain an attorney for you. This lawyer works specifically on your behalf and with your best interests in mind. Because this is your lawyer, you get to decide whether the case goes to trial or ends in a settlement. And you won’t need to worry about the bill at the end — the lawyer’s fees are included in your coverage and won’t impact how much of the $1 million you have for paying settlements.
*All instances provided that the complaint is covered under this policy.
Your policy applies on a worldwide basis, as long as a claim is brought against you in the United States (which includes any U.S. territories or possessions).*
EXAMPLE: You go to the Dominican Republic to volunteer as a nurse following a devastating hurricane. Upon your return, you find out that one of your Dominican patients has filed a claim of medical malpractice against you — and they filed it in the U.S.
*All instances provided that the complaint is covered under this policy.
If you provide medical care to someone outside of your primary work setting and that person files a claim against you, your policy would still apply.*
EXAMPLE: You’re at a restaurant and someone at the next table begins to choke. You rush over and immediately begin performing CPR. However, while saving this person’s life, you inadvertently break three of his ribs. Because you’re a certified medical expert, the patient sues you for his injury.
*All instances provided that the complaint is covered under this policy.
If (noncriminal) allegations of sexual misconduct are made against you, we’ll retain counsel to represent you and pay defense costs — unless or until the sexual misconduct or abuse is determined to have occurred.*
AMOUNT COVERED: Provided in addition to your policy’s limits of insurance.
EXAMPLE: You perform a routine examination of a patient. However, you find out later that you made them feel uncomfortable and they decided to file a claim against you. In this instance, your policy would retain a lawyer on your behalf. Additionally, your defense fees are covered up until there is an admission or finding of liability.
*All instances provided that the complaint is covered under this policy.
Automatic Coverage Extensions
If a claim alleges that you violated privacy rules in connection with private health information, we provide you with access to counsel and will reimburse you for costs related to HIPAA proceedings — including relevant HIPAA fines.*
AMOUNT COVERED: $25,000 per action or proceeding.
EXAMPLE: A patient’s records were released without his permission, and you’re listed as responsible for the mistake.
*All instances provided that the complaint is covered under this policy.
If you’re involved in a licensing board action or proceeding, our policy provides you with legal counsel.*
AMOUNT COVERED: $25,000 per policy period.
EXAMPLE: Your patient has a bad case of athlete’s foot, so you write a prescription for Lamisil. A couple of weeks later, you get a call from the patient saying that their condition has not gotten any better, and that their friend said you should have prescribed a different medication. The patient made a complaint to the local Medical Board regarding your care, and you just received a letter from them. You know that you did everything right, but you still want to have a lawyer by your side to guide you through the process with the Board.
*All instances provided that the complaint is covered under this policy.
If we ask you to attend litigation activities (e.g., a deposition), our policy will reimburse you for actual lost wages and any necessary expenses you incur (e.g., travel, meals).*
AMOUNT COVERED: Up to $1,000 per day.
EXAMPLE: We ask you to attend a deposition that requires you to take off a full day from work. Because you’re insured, we’ll reimburse you for your travel expenses, meals, and proven lost wages.
*All instances provided that the complaint is covered under this policy.
If you face a threat to your professional reputation, we can provide you with a crisis management/public relations consultant to help clear your name.*
AMOUNT COVERED: $50,000 per claim.
EXAMPLE: You’ve been caring for an elderly hip replacement patient with dementia. One day, his children stop by to pay him a visit. When asked how he’s doing, the patient mentions that you haven’t checked in on him all day — even though you’d actually visited him twice. Outraged, they decide to bring a claim of negligence against you, alleging that you’ve failed to provide their father with care. On top of that, they undertake an aggressive campaign to publicize your alleged negligence via social media, warning people against getting care from you.
We will retain a crisis management firm to aid you in responding to the threats made to your professional reputation.
*All instances provided that the complaint is covered under this policy.
Additional A La Carte Coverage
The policy applies if someone files a claim against you alleging that your premises or operations caused them bodily injury or harm.*
AMOUNT COVERED: $1 million occurrence/$1 million aggregate.
EXAMPLE: You run a small medical office in town and someone slips and falls on your property. You’re alleged to be liable for their injuries.
*All instances provided that the complaint is covered under this policy.
If you’re audited by either Medicare or Medicaid, we offer reimbursement for related accountant or attorney costs that result from the investigation or defense of the audit proceedings.*
AMOUNT COVERED: $30,000 for a covered audit and related expenses.
EXAMPLE: Medicare is initiating an audit of your business. To help you prepare, your policy will retain an accountant for you, who will help you go over your financial statements. And, if necessary, you could use a lawyer to defend your best interests — all while you continue to work.
*All instances provided that the complaint is covered under this policy.
* “20% savings” is based on industry pricing averages.
** Quote and issuance of a policy are conditioned upon receipt and approval of the following 1) Practice Location; 2) Profession / Specialty; 3) Employment Status; 4) Coverage Type; 5) Hours Worked; and 6) Prior Claims Activity. Final pricing and terms of coverage may vary.
*** Terms, pricing, and coverage may vary.