Therefore, whether as a student on externship, or as a professional medical assistant working under a physician, or on your own, get your own malpractice and professional liability insurance as soon as possible! It is really worth cost and effort, and apropos cost, it doesn't cost much at all!

Should you ever decide you want to volunteer, or work at a part-time position, or even do private duty, since many medical assistants have a background as former home health aides or CNAs, in additional to your full-time position, an individual policy covers you for your duties in both positions and circumstances. If you accept a position and then decide you want to take a position elsewhere, your individual coverage follows you to your new position, even if your previous employer paid premiums for your coverage. However, realize that your previous employer may request reimbursement!

There even is a way to eliminate gaps in coverage by requesting prior acts coverage. This gives insured retroactive coverage to cover those events that may have already occurred but have not yet been reported. I bet most of us didn't even know that!

How much you pay for your insurance premium depends on your responsibilities, location of your practice setting and limits of liability you choose. If your employer insists that you are to be covered under their policy (rider) and you can't afford to purchase your own personal policy, ask employer for a copy of certificate of insurance for your analysis. Here is a checklist of items to use when analyzing your employer’s policy:

1. Are you listed by name on your employer’s policy? 2. Are legal costs included in limits of liability, or will they be paid in addition to policy limits? 3. If a malpractice claim is filed against you, will this professional liability policy pay legal fees and court costs in addition to your policy limit, even if you are not liable for charges brought against you? 4. If you decide to change employers and are covered under a claims-made policy, will your former employer be responsible for paying cost of tail coverage? 5. Is policy available in all 50 states?

If you answered NO to any of these questions, investigate purchasing your own individual policy through one of many malpractice and professional liability programs available.

======================================= Remember: Protect yourself and your future and strive to function within parameters of your state licensure laws. =======================================

Danni R., CMA, CCMA, CMAA Owner/Founder/Web Site Admin: Advanced Medical Assistant of America http://www.certmedassistant.com Medical Assistant Net http://www.medicalassistant.net