Allied Healthcare facilities and their professionals are involved with the delivery of health or related services regarding the identification, evaluation and prevention of diseases and disorders; dietary and nutrition services; rehabilitation and health systems management; among others. Facilities include alcohol and drug rehabilitation, dialysis centers, home health care, hospice, radiology and imaging, staffing and nursing registries, student health centers, among many others. Allied Health professionals include dental hygienists, diagnostic medical sonographers, dietitians, medical technologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, radiographers, respiratory therapists, and speech language pathologists.
Some Allied Healthcare providers work with other providers, including physicians, nurses, dentists and pharmacists. They may contribute to evaluating and assessing a patient’s needs, keeping the physician and others informed of the patient’s progress and caring for the patient. Others work independently as specialists in exercise, nutrition, health education, speech, and daily function. It is projected that the number of Allied Healthcare workers by 2020 will be 19 million, up from 15.6 million in 2010.
Protecting these facilities and their professionals requires the placement of several key coverage including but not limited to General Liability, Professional Liability, Sexual Abuse Liability, Property, Commercial Auto, D&O, EPLI and Workers’ Compensation. Professional Liability for the entity is of significance importance to provide protection in the event of errors or omissions arising from the services provided. Professional Liability insurance can be designed to cover both the agencies/firms and individuals involved in Allied Healthcare. For example, let’s say a nurse is caring for a mentally challenged adult at home who requires around-the-clock help with daily living activities, including bathing. The bathwater is too hot but the adult is unable to communicate this to the nurse and is accidentally burned which necessitates medical attention and aftercare. The family sues both the nurse and the home care agency for negligence. Or, let’s say a client at a med spa goes in for laser hair removal treatment. She suffers burns and sues the med spa and the clinician. Professional Liability insurance will protect these entities when such losses occur, providing coverage for both defense costs and indemnification in the event of negligence.
When working with vulnerable populations such as the elderly, youth and disabled, Sexual Abuse Liability insurance imperative. Some liability policies may include an “intentional acts exclusion” that disallows coverage for claims alleging sexual abuse and close examination is required to ensure that the insured will be covered. Whether an allegation has any merit or not, Allied Healthcare firms should be carrying this insurance.
Caitlin Morgan provides comprehensive insurance solutions for the Allied Medical/Allied Healthcare industry – including Professional Liability and Sexual Abuse coverage and a suite of other essential products. We insure small to medium size risks and for large accounts can create tailored programs with deductibles/SIRs or Excess coverage. Give us a call at 877.226.1027 to discuss your insureds’ needs.