In the dynamic world of therapy, where unexpected situations can arise, professional liability insurance, often called malpractice insurance or errors and omissions coverage, plays a crucial role in protecting your practice. At Mentaya, we understand the complexities of insurance, so we're here to simplify it for you.
In this article we are going to take you through five potential scenarios that any mental health provider may encounter during the course of their career, and show you how your insurance coverage works to support you in each of these situations.
An adult client has died by suicide. The client's family filed a lawsuit against all healthcare facilities and professionals involved in the client's care during the time period prior to their death. You are the person named in the suit as the therapist who most recently provided counseling services to the client.
Here's how your professional liability insurance will work to shield you from this lawsuit:
Carrying professional liability insurance not only safeguards you in times of crisis, but it also provides additional benefits including: access to experienced attorneys, professional services and financial protection.
In the midst of a custody dispute between the parents of a minor client, Parent A has submitted a complaint to your state licensing board. The allegation suggests that you failed to provide records upon request and exhibited bias in favor of Parent B.
Board complaints are among the most common challenges faced by mental health providers. Here's where your insurance can come to help you navigate this situation:
Your client, involved in an auto accident and pursuing legal action against their insurance company, has their lawyer issue a subpoena to you for your practice records.
Clients may be involved in a lawsuit where their mental health records are relevant to the case, so in practice it is not unusual for mental healthcare professionals to receive a subpoena to produce records or provide testimony at a deposition. Here's how professional liability insurance policies can provide valuable help:
During session, an adult client disclosed that they were abused by sexual misconduct as a minor. This raises the question: are you required to make a mandated report?
Professional liability insurance can be a valuable resource for mental healthcare providers and health professionals facing such ethical dilemmas. Here's how it can assist:
A hacker has gained access to the server where you store electronic health records. You are unsure if any of your clients files were affected.
With cyber attacks becoming more prevalent, it is more important than ever to ensure that you are covered should you experience data breaches. Cyber liability coverage is specific data breach coverage that helps you when a third party gains unauthorized access to your electronic health records stored on a computer or server. Here are the next steps you would take:
Among the many things to do as you're building your practice, selecting the right liability insurance is one of the most important decisions. At Mentaya, we've done our research and helped source the leading provider of professional liability insurance for mental health professionals throughout the US: CPH Insurance.
Readers of this blog get a discount on your professional liability insurance by applying via this link https://cphins.com/mentaya.
What can you get with CPH? The standard policy with CPH includes professional liability insurance, licensing board defense, subpoena coverage, and 2 free hours of attorney consultation. With options to add cyber liability and general professional liability coverage. CPH offers competitive rates, excellent customer service, and a customer account with 24/7 access to download policy documents, make policy changes, pay, and file claims.
Malpractice insurance isn't only for medical professionals. In these litigious times psychotherapists are encouraged to carry professional liability insurance (or malpractice insurance for therapist) to safeguard from a claim or lawsuit as well. If a client, their spouse, or parent/guardian files a complaint or lawsuit, malpractice insurance for counselors / psychotherapists provides unlimited defense coverage and state licensing board defense coverage to protect your job and assets.
Yes, the professional liability policy with CPH covers telehealth services provided such services are being performed legally within the scope of your state license. You should confirm with your state licensing board and the licensing board of any state in which you may be providing professional services, that they are covered within your scope of practice.
Occurrence coverage: lifetime comprehensive coverage of malpractice claims for the policy period. If a claim or suit is brought against you, as long as you were insured at the time of the incident or treatment that resulted in the claim or suit, the cost of this policy will still apply to covered claim.
Claims-made policy: only covers claims that occur while the policy is in effect. It is recommended that you purchase "tail coverage" or an "extended reporting period" when you end a claims-made policy so that you can extend the amount of time during which you may report and pay a claim.
Yes, CPH offers optional general liability insurance that can be added to a business or professional liability insurance policy. General liability insurance for business, also known as "slip and fall" insurance, provides coverage for bodily injury and property damage liability at your business premises.
CPH provides comprehensive insurance coverage for individuals in the healthcare industry such as therapists, mental health counselors, psychologists, social workers, case managers, and many more other professionals in healthcare industry! Check out the full list of professions they insure here.
Coverage highlights: professional liability occurrence form, supplemental liability, state Licensing Board Defense Coverage, Unlimited Defense, Portable Coverage, Telehealth Coverage, Deposition Expense, Medical Expense, Assault Coverage, First Aid Coverage, Sexual Misconduct, Attorney Helpline.
Optional coverage: General Liability, Business Personal Property / Contents, Additional Insureds, Business Income & Extra Expense Coverage, Cyber Liability Coverage.
