Will Your Malpractice Coverage Help Protect You in the Event of a Government Audit?

Why This Topic Matters

Medical practices may assume they are protected when policy structure or named insured details leave gaps in coverage. The article highlights why regular policy review matters for financial risk management, especially when practices change or face audit-related claims.

Article Sections

1. What are the responsibilities of the Insurance Agent?

   Introduces the role of the agent or broker in explaining malpractice coverage and helping the practice understand policy terms and documentation. Also notes that responsibilities may vary by state law.

2. Questions to ask when reviewing malpractice coverage

   Outlines broad areas practices should review when renewing or evaluating coverage, including organizational changes, staffing changes, service additions, address updates, and available policy enhancements.

3. Additional coverage features and audit-related protection

   Discusses several optional or included coverage features that may be available through malpractice policies, along with the broader issue of protection related to government audits.

4. Example involving an audit letter and coverage gap

   Describes a situation in which a practice discovered a mismatch between the entity named in an audit-related notice and the insurance structure in place. The section illustrates how coverage gaps can affect payment responsibility.

5. Entity coverage and policy assumptions in group practices

   Explains the general difference between solo-practice coverage and coverage for groups with a separate entity, emphasizing the importance of understanding how organizational coverage is handled.

6. Conclusion

   Closes with a reminder that practices should continue to protect physicians by staying informed about insurance coverage and audit-related risk.