Why do physician assistants need business insurance?
Working as a physician assistant (PA) can be a rewarding experience, but it also leaves you vulnerable to risks. Sometimes your employer's insurance, or that of a temporary agency, may not protect you. Business insurance provides peace of mind and risk management against lawsuits and injuries that might otherwise overwhelm your small business.
One application, multiple quotes
Insureon helps physician assistants get quotes for professional liability and other policies from providers ranked by A.M. Best.
Get quotes for coverage that meets your unique needs with one easy application.
What types of insurance do physician assistants need?
General liability insurance
This policy helps pay for lawsuits from common accidents, such as a senior citizen who trips and breaks a hip. It's often required for a commercial lease.
- Slip-and-fall accidents
- Damaged patient property
- Libel and other advertising injuries
Business owner’s policy
A business owner's policy, or BOP, is a cost-effective way for physician assistants to combine commercial property insurance with a general liability insurance policy.
- Customer bodily injuries
- Property damage to a patient's belongings
- Stolen or damaged medical tools
Professional liability / medical malpractice
Professional liability coverage, also called medical malpractice insurance, covers defense costs if a patient sues a physician assistant for an error, such as administering the wrong medication.
- Failure to deliver promised services
- Accusations of negligence
- Mistakes or oversights (e.g., failing to administer first aid)
Workers’ compensation insurance
Most states require workers' comp for physician assistant practices that have employees. It also protects sole proprietors from work injury costs that health insurance might deny.
- Employee medical expenses
- Disability benefits
- Legal fees from employee injuries
Commercial auto insurance
Most states require commercial auto insurance for vehicles owned by a physician assistant's business. It helps cover the cost of an accident involving your business vehicle.
- Damage caused by your vehicle
- Medical bills from an auto accident
- Vehicle theft and vandalism
Cyber insurance
This policy helps physician assistants pay costs associated with data breaches and cyberattacks. It can often be added to a business owner's policy or general liability policy for savings.
- Customer notification expenses
- Data breach lawsuits (e.g., HIPAA data compromised)
- Fraud monitoring costs
How much does insurance cost for physician assistants?
A healthcare clinic with only a few physician assistants will pay less for PA malpractice insurance and other coverages than a larger practice.
Factors that affect premiums include:
- Healthcare professional services offered
- Business location
- Medical equipment and property
- Years and types of experience (e.g., full-time or part-time)
- Types of insurance policies purchased (such as occurrence coverage or claims-made policy)
- Policy limits and deductibles
- Add-ons, such as additional insured endorsements
How do I get physician assistant liability insurance?
It's easy to get physician assistant malpractice insurance and other policies if you have your company information on hand. Our application will ask for basic facts about your business, such as revenue and number of employees. You can buy a policy online and get a certificate of insurance with Insureon in three easy steps:
- Complete a free online application.
- Compare insurance plans and choose policies.
- Pay for your policy and download a certificate.
Insureon's licensed insurance agents work with top-rated U.S. providers to find the right insurance products for PAs and other healthcare providers (e.g., nurse practitioners), whether you work independently or hire employees.
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FAQs about insurance for physician assistants
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Do physician assistants need malpractice insurance?
Requirements vary by state law, but many physician assistants are required to carry malpractice insurance—either by law or by hospitals, healthcare networks, or supervising physicians.
Even when it isn’t legally required, malpractice coverage is an important part of managing professional risk. Physician assistants provide specialized care, and failing to meet the standard of care for their training and expertise can lead to professional negligence, also known as malpractice.
Medical malpractice claims are among the most common types of professional liability cases in healthcare, highlighting the importance of having coverage in place.
Why is important to have tail coverage for physician assistants?
Tail coverage provides protection for incidents that happen while a malpractice policy is active, but are reported after the policy period ends.
Since medical malpractice claims can arise months or even years later, tail coverage ensures physician assistants remain protected against lawsuits for patient care they performed in the past.
What other insurance coverage should physician assistants carry?
In addition to general liability and a malpractice insurance policy, physician assistants may want to consider these additional coverages to protect their practice and career:
- Telehealth coverage adds protection to your medical professional liability insurance for claims arising from telemedicine or virtual patient services, such as misdiagnoses or patient complaints.
- License defense coverage pays for legal fees and other costs if you face an investigation or malpractice lawsuit that could affect your physician assistant license. It's often available as an add-on to your professional liability policy.
- Needlestick or occupational accident insurance (OAI) protects against injuries from needles or sharps, as well as exposure to blood and other bodily fluids.
- HIPAA defense coverage covers legal proceedings, fines, and penalties related to HIPAA violations, and can typically be added to a professional liability policy.
These additional coverages help ensure you’re protected against less common, but potentially costly, risks in your practice.