Frequently, it seems like anything and everything has been greatly influenced by the invention of the Internet. Most people might not think that a private practice in the world of medicine could possibly be changed by the Internet other than maybe billing and the accessing of medical records on a 24/7 basis. That assumption would not be entirely accurate. Online space can be utilized by the medical industry more than you may have assumed thanks to individuals who were resource minded.
No Receptionist, No Examination Rooms, No Waiting Room
Certainly, that could not possibly apply to a doctor’s office. Unless of course… It was an online doctor. Some of these online doctors operate on a flat fee type basis. For a certain annual charge their patients, as long as they reside in the doctor’s immediate area, are entitled to things like unlimited email or instant medicine consultations and let’s say, two house calls annually. Patients requiring any additional house calls may be subjected to a slight charge depending on the doctor. This is of course just an example of how these types of cyber medical practices run.
But does a cyber medical practice require specific cyber medical malpractice insurance? Truth be told, any practicing doctor needs malpractice insurance, whether they practice online or offline… Or both. And shopping for that medical liability insurance quote is no different than shopping for anything else these days. Just as with the medical practice itself, shopping is now done online in a much more efficient manner than in days of old.
Who Needs Malpractice Insurance?
Nurses, medical students, dentists, physicians assistants, surgeons and of course regular family practice physicians all need malpractice insurance. The chances that any of these people will always be covered by their employer is an assumption that is inaccurate at best. In fact as far as being covered by your employer, that only goes so far. If it is in the best interest of the institution and their legal representation to side with you and protect themselves by protecting you as well... you may be protected.
However, if there is any kind of discrepancy between your employer and yourself their legal representation has but one obligation... and that is to the institution itself. And just because a medical student is a student doesn’t mean that they are blameless if a crucial mistake is made. Particularly if the mistake that was made was done so as the result of a willful act. Some students do after all think that they have a pretty good handle on things even early on in the beginnings of what may or may not end up being their medical career.
Whether you are an online doctor or the old-fashioned kind that still has people actually come in so that you can not only view them, but touch and connect with them as well... you’re going to need malpractice insurance. So important is this kind of insurance that some areas require it by law, though not in any amount that would end up being anywhere near enough, worst-case scenario.