Locum Tenens Malpractice Insurance Explained

Barton Associates offer free, top-in-class malpractice insurance to all medical providers who work with us on assignment, as well as an expert insurance team to walk you through any questions you may have. But what is locum tenens malpractice insurance and what does it cover? Here’s what you need to know.

What is the Meaning of Locum Tenens Coverage?

Locum tenens coverage refers to the malpractice insurance policies that provide coverage for a medical provider while on a locum tenens assignment. 

While malpractice insurance has traditionally been associated with physicians, any locum tenens medical provider is eligible for locum tenens malpractice insurance.

Who Pays Malpractice Insurance for Locum Tenens providers? 

The locum tenens staffing company you work with will traditionally pay for your malpractice insurance. 

Barton Associates maintains high-quality, comprehensive medical malpractice insurance coverage for all the locum tenens physicians, CRNA, dentists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants who practice at our clients’ healthcare facilities and practices — absolutely free of charge.

In the case of Barton Associates, we also have a dedicated insurance team to walk you through any questions. Our experts will enroll you in any applicable state patient compensation funds, as well as guide you through the process should any claims occur during your assignments.

Which Kinds of Medical Providers Get Malpractice Insurance?

All medical providers who are subject to possible claims are eligible for malpractice insurance. Physicians, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, dentists, and physician assistants all get free malpractice insurance coverage when working with Barton Associates.

What are the Two Types of Malpractice Insurance?

Malpractice insurance has traditionally come  in one of two forms: claims-made insurance or occurrence coverage, with the key difference being the time-frame when the policy is in effect.

1) Occurrence Policies

Occurrence policies offer lifetime coverage for incidents that occur during the timeframe of the policy, even if the claim is made years later.

2) Claims-Made Policies

Claims-made policies apply to claims that are made during the duration of coverage. By default, claim-made coverage doesn’t apply to claims that are made after the policy ends. However, some companies offer tail coverage, which extends coverage  for incidents that happened during the policy, but were filed after the policy ends.  Tail coverage lasts for a year or more, and often for several years, depending on the specific policy.

Today, most malpractice insurance policies use claims-made coverage, including Barton Associates. Unlike other locum tenens companies, Barton Associates proudly provides tail coverage to all medical providers, so that they can focus their efforts on patient care first and foremost.

Furnished through an “A”-rated insurance company, our coverage is claims-made and maintains a retroactive date to our inception as a locum tenens provider. Our policies carry up to $1,000,000 per claim and $3,000,000 aggregate (and higher limits as required in certain states). In addition, we are able to enroll locum tenens providers in various states’ patient compensation funds.

Barton Associates Has You Covered!

Our free, comprehensive medical malpractice insurance coverage is just one more example of how Barton Associates makes working as a locum tenens physician, CRNA, dentist, NP, or PA an efficient, worry-free process. It provides our locum providers the reassurance they need to focus on what matters most: taking advantage of great locum tenens jobs throughout the country.

If a claim does occur while you’re working as a locum tenens provider through Barton Associates, Barton and our insurance team will guide and support you throughout the process.

Learn More

To learn more about working as a locum tenens physician, CRNA, dentist, NP, or PA and the benefits of Barton’s free malpractice insurance, complete the form to the right or give us a call at 1.855.672.0873 today!