A subspecialty in the healthcare field, functional medicine practitioners are exposed to similar potential medical malpractice litigation risks and should carry malpractice insurance to protect themselves financially.

What is Functional Medicine?

Functional medicine, more a general approach to clinical medical care than a traditional medical specialty, is a young field based on the application of basic science to medicine. Functional medicine focuses on the underlying causes and prevention of disease in general, rather than on treating the symptoms of specific diseases. Proponents of functional medicine view the body as one integrated system, attempting to analyze how each component of the body interacts with the environment.

The Institute for Functional Medicine is the primary organized body in the field. In its definition of functional medicine, the Institute lists core imbalances that can occur in the integrated system of the body. These include hormone and neurotransmitter imbalances, oxidation-reduction imbalances, immune imbalances and inflammatory imbalances. The key tool for treating these imbalances is the “patient story,” which clinicians can use to integrate diagnosis, signs and symptoms as well as evidence of imbalances, and then to provide treatment in order to correct the imbalances.

Recently, some medical schools have taken a greater interest in teaching some aspects of functional medicine as well as other forms of alternative medicine. With more than 40 percent of Americans using some form of nontraditional medicine, medical schools including the UC San Francisco and the Loma Linda University School of Medicine have added electives in areas such as functional medicine.

Why Do Functional Medicine Physicians Need Malpractice Coverage?

Medical practitioners who practice functional medicine are performing medical treatments on their patients. Any time medical services and treatments are provided, there is potential and risk of medical malpractice litigation. Functional medicine doctors can be named in malpractice lawsuits. 

Type of Functional Medicine Services & Treatments

• Acupuncture
• Naturopathy
• Massage
• Chiropractic medicine
• Osteopathic medicine
• Body movement therapies
• Tai chi
• Yoga

Functional Medicine Malpractice Insurance Cost

Malpractice insurers do not typically recognize functional medicine as a unique specialty, so most practitioners of functional medicine would be classified as internists or primary care physicians. This means that functional medicine malpractice insurance rates will be relatively low, when compared to the higher rates paid by specialists like surgeons and obstetricians. Premiums vary widely among individuals based on factors like geographic location, hours worked per week, patients seen per week, previous claims history, specific procedures and treatments performed as well as other details of the practice. Medical malpractice insurance premiums are significantly higher in states where the legal climate is hostile and tort reform measures are not in place, such as the State of New York and State of Florida. 

Some studies suggest that physicians practicing functional medicine or other forms of nontraditional medicine may be less likely to be sued for malpractice. As further research becomes available, insurance companies may reevaluate the rates they charge to physicians in functional medicine.

Save Money by Working with a Malpractice Insurance Agent

You can save money on your medical malpractice insurance by working with an insurance agent or broker. Brokers shop for the best available policies to determine which ones are best suited for your unique needs at the lowest cost. In the medical malpractice insurance industry, agent commissions are already built into your premium. You pay the same amount for coverage whether you use an agent or purchase directly from the insurance company. Let us be your advocate. Request your free medical malpractice insurance quote now.

Why functional medicine physicians work with Cunningham Group

Functional medicine physicians choose Cunningham Group because we are one of the few medical malpractice insurance agencies that take the time to understand your specific employment situation and how you approach patient care. With access to every major medical malpractice insurance company in every state, our team is uniquely qualified to get you the best coverage at the most affordable price. Most agents only have access to one or two medical malpractice insurance companies. Our almost-universal access lets us shop your coverage among nearly every available company, which means malpractice insurers compete for your business.

During the insurance application process, be sure to ask your medical malpractice  insurance agent about any discounts you may be eligible for. Are you “new to practice?” Are you working less than full-time? Are you interested in taking an online risk management course offered by the insurance company to lower your rates? Cunningham Group has helped thousands of functional medicine physicians maximize their savings.

How does the insurance broker process work?

1. You will submit your information through a secure medical malpractice insurance quote form.
2. You can always call us and speak to an agent immediately.
3. A veteran medical malpractice insurance broker will be assigned to you.
4. We shop your Functional Medicine Insurance to every major malpractice insurance company in your state.
5. Your agent will take the time and go over all of your options with you, explaining everything to make certain you make the right decision.
6. We get you your insurance policy at the best price with a major insurance company.
7. At renewal time: We start the shopping process all over again, getting you quotes from all the major malpractice insurance companies to again make certain you’re properly priced.

Request your free medical malpractice insurance quote and learn why more people choose us over anyone else in the nation.

The Ultimate Medical Malpractice Insurance Guide

We’ve created the ultimate medical malpractice insurance guide for doctors that can answer almost any question you may have — either before you buy or while you have an active policy. This guide applies to all healthcare professionals in every state.

Resources for Functional Medicine Physicians

Institute for Functional Medicine
Functional Medicine Doctors Certified Practitioner Directory
Functional Medicine Journal
Science-Based Medicine
Understanding Functional Medicine
American Board of Functional Medicine