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Mtfd72
08-19-2003, 04:57 PM
I am starting Paramedic School next week and I have heard talk from other medics that they haev liability insurance. Do you have it? and if so how much and where from?
IAMedic
08-19-2003, 06:29 PM
The school that you are attending should have all of that information the first night of class. You don't need it until you start your clinical rotation. If they don't offer it, get back to us. There are a couple good companies out there.

Let us know and Good Luck!!
smurfe
08-19-2003, 09:23 PM
Most schools MAKE you purchase it and it is included in your tuition. The last program I taught in, that was a requirement. A policy was included with your tuition. I mean, you paid for it, they didn't "provide" it for you, but made you take one out as a student.

Smurfe:D
hageremtp
08-19-2003, 10:13 PM
My company carries it for me now that I practice for them. In School it was included in our fees!
bigJ164019
08-20-2003, 04:57 AM
I use HPSO (Healthcare Providers Service Organization).
http://www.hpso.com

I joined as a Paramedic Student! I only paid $20.00 as a EMT-P student for first year coverage and rates after that are very good. I have $1 Million coverage per incident, $6 Million Aggregate including Professional Liability, Personal Injury Liability, Mailplacement Liability, and Good Samaritan Liability.
DaSharkie
08-20-2003, 12:57 PM
I am with Big J here. I have HPSO and it cost me about $130 for a year. Even though an employer has their own coverage, teh insurance company and employer are usually looking out for themselves and with this policy I get a little more looking after, help with legal fees, paid representation if someone goes after my Medic certification, pay for and legal representation for depositions, etc. Well worth it for the peace of mind, not to mention that I get to use as a tax deduction as well.

Man, I am a cheap bastard.
CollegeBuff
08-20-2003, 04:47 PM
Would any of you recommend it for levels lower than Paramedic?
IAMedic
08-20-2003, 07:28 PM
Originally posted by CollegeBuff
Would any of you recommend it for levels lower than Paramedic?

In my area, I would not recommend getting the insurance if you were a EMT-B. If you are an EMT-I or higher, I would recommend it.

Good Luck!!
DaSharkie
08-20-2003, 09:38 PM
Would any of you recommend it for levels lower than Paramedic?

I lean more to the side of yes, especially if you are allowed to do anything above BLS care. Even at the BLS level I can't say that it is a bad idea because soem useless ambulance chaser is still going to get a hair across their *** and come after you. You are still rendering care and are expected to anticipate certain problems and situations and treat appropriately for them. You can still be sued for negligence, abandonment, improper treatment, and malpractice, whether it occurred or not. I recommend it especially because of the high cost of legal protection from a well experienced and trained lawyer. I also know of several BLS providers who have been sued and as soon as you are named party in a lawsuit all of your private holdings are frozen so you can't buy or sell a car or house, and your life is put on hold.
CollegeBuff
08-21-2003, 06:35 PM
Ok, to add something I should've mentioned earlier as part of the decision-making process: My first EMT job (starting Monday) is at a local private ambulance company. We do not make any 911 responses. Probably a full 90% of our runs are BLS inter-facility transports (although all rigs are ALS with the occasional BLS rig if too many Cardiacs are on vacation). The only "emergency" runs we might be called on for are slip and falls type stuff at some of our contract nursing homes and "rule out MI" transports from walk-in clinics (we had a "rule out" AAA on my first ride-along/training shift :eek: ) . As the Basic on board, I'll be driving 99.999% of the time.

I appreciate the input so far though.
eyeOthestorm
08-22-2003, 05:14 AM
I have been told that in Indiana an EMT can not carry malpractice insurance... I do not know if this is true or not. Maybe someone here knows the answer... The reasoning that I was given was that we fall under our medical directors malpractice insurance because we practice on his/her license. Is there any truth to this?
DaSharkie
08-22-2003, 10:52 AM
I have been told that in Indiana an EMT can not carry malpractice insurance... I do not know if this is true or not. Maybe someone here knows the answer... The reasoning that I was given was that we fall under our medical directors malpractice insurance because we practice on his/her license. Is there any truth to this?

Yeah and? As a Paramedic I work under the direction of my medical director and my medical control physicians but I am still going to get named in the suit. I am responsible for my actions or inactions and therefore have to look out for myself, my partner, and my family.

I will venture to say that this statement made to you was innaccurate simply because of this.

If someone follows this logic, then a surgeon does not need to carry their own malpractice insurance because they are covered by the chief of surgery's own insurance. No logic. In this day and age, unfortunately you have to llok out for yourself because of all of these darned ambulance chasers and money grubbing people.

Remember, there have been lawsuits filed by people who have had ribs broken during CPR. They're alive, but darn it you broke my rib. No brains.

Look into it for yourself, protect yourself.