Odds are, you entered the medical profession so you could focus on keeping your patients healthy and safe through top-quality health care services. As an independent medical practice owner, you also need to keep the business side of your office running safely and soundly. One of the most important ways to do that is to purchase a business insurance policy that fits your needs.
The right combination of coverages can help protect your office’s physical structure, the integrity of patients’ electronic medical records and private information, expensive equipment and more. Here are some of the coverages you may want to consider:
General liability coverage:
The Insurance Information Institute (III) says general liability coverage can help pay medical costs and damages if your business is found liable after a patient, vendor or anyone else is injured during a visit to your office, or if your business is found liable for damage to someone’s property.
Business property coverage:
This key insurance coverage helps protect not just your office building — it also covers the items you keep in your office, such as waiting room furniture and art;, exam room equipment and furnishings;, office and reception area furnishings or computers. Typically, it will cover the building and the contents of your office against certain covered losses, such as fire or vandalism, up to the limits in your policy.
Data compromise coverage:
Your office computers store a great deal of confidential patient identity, medical, insurance and other information. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) suggests developing a cyber security policy to help protect this data. In addition, you might also want to consider data compromise coverage to help cover losses if your office’s electronic information is damaged or stolen.
Valuable papers and records coverage:
Although you may keep many of your records in electronic form, some may still exist on paper — and that’s where this coverage can be helpful. According to the Insurance Risk Management Institute (IRMI), valuable papers and records coverage can help pay for the cost of researching and replacing papers that have been damaged or destroyed.
Employment practices liability coverage:
In this litigious age, it’s worth protecting your medical office from lawsuits filed by current and former employees — from wrongful termination suits to discrimination complaints made to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
For more information on choosing the right business insurance coverages for your company, contact an FAM Insurance agent.