Emergency physicians (EP) depend upon malpractice insurance to cover the risks of emergency medical practice. However, malpractice insurance does not cover the broad range of risk associated with the practice of emergency medicine. Emergency physicians need to know what is and is not covered by malpractice policies.

Also, the EP must enter the marketplace with some savvy regarding malpractice insurance, including the different types of insurance, recommended limits of coverage, the method of coverage at the termination of practice, consent to settle issues and others. Small or new emergency practice groups may not be adequately prepared to fund a tail policy, leaving the independent practitioner with a huge liability exposure and debt. Unscrupulous contract holders may have no intention of providing the promised coverage.

Unfortunately, providing standard of care emergency medicine is not enough. In today’s medical world, emergency physicians must have a working knowledge of this important medical-legal subject.