Most FAQs Regarding Doctor Liability Coverage, Part 4

This is the fourth post in our series addressing the most frequently asked questions regarding doctor liability coverage that we hear at MyMedicalMalpracticeInsurance.com. In our final installment, we will answer:

How long does it take to process my doctor liability coverage and what do I need?

First, we always recommend that our clients apply for doctor liability coverage at least 2-4 weeks before needing the coverage. Every med mal company has a different process for applying for coverage, but most companies require the following documentation:

1. A completed, signed, and dated application. (Note: most insurance companies will not accept an application that is dated more than 30 days ago.)
2. An updated/current CV.
3. A copy of the medical license of the state that you are applying for coverage.
4. 5-10 years of loss history or a loss run
A loss run or a loss history is one of the most important documents in the underwriting process. (Many doctors tell us that they don’t need a loss run because they have not had any claims. We explain to the physician that the loss history will indicate if there have been no claims and that allows the insurance company to apply the claim-free credits.) A physician can obtain a loss run by calling his or her previous insurance companies and requesting an updated report. If the physician currently works at a hospital, we recommend that they call their credentialing department or their risk management department. At MyMedicalMalpracticeInsurance.com we recommend that physicians retrieve a copy of their loss history or loss run every time they move to a new job or new insurance carrier. For doctors who have done locums work, or have had multiple positions, or are unsure for how to obtain their loss run, we recommend going online to the National Practitioner Data Bank and doing a self query. The report is easy to retrieve but it can take up to a week to receive.