The medical profession in India, including the state of Rajasthan, faces rising legal scrutiny for various reasons. Increased legal knowledge and awareness among patients, increased media sensationalism, commercialisation of healthcare, overburden, and not following ethical guidelines are some of the crucial reasons for the alarming increase in medico-legal cases. As per the study from the Indian Journal of Medical Ethics, nearly 46% of healthcare practitioners do not follow ethical guidelines.
Doctors and healthcare professionals are at risk of being sued for alleged negligence, surgical complications, errors in diagnosis, or improper treatment. Let us take a recent medical negligence case of Rajasthan Administrative Service (RAS) officer Priyanka Bishnoi that was in the news. Her health deteriorated after she underwent stomach surgery at a hospital in Jodhpur, and she lost her life as soon as she was transferred to Ahmedabad for further treatment. In this case, the family alleged that the death happened due to medical negligence during surgery.
The increasing number of such cases underscores the critical need for professional indemnity insurance in Rajasthan for doctors and healthcare providers to safeguard their careers and finances.
What Does Best PI Insurance in India Cover?
Professional indemnity insurance for doctors covers the legal expenses incurred to defend a medical malpractice lawsuit against them. The policy mainly provides cover for court settlements and compensation when there is a bodily injury or death caused to the claimant while providing professional services. Best doctor liability insurance in Rajasthan can offer additional protection to make the coverage comprehensive for doctors and medical establishments.
Medical liability insurance plays a crucial role in risk mitigation and provides peace of mind to medical practitioners. The benefit of the policy extends beyond financial protection, as many policies help with legal assistance and reputation management.
Who Needs Professional Indemnity Insurance in Rajasthan?
Professional indemnity insurance is essential for all medical practitioners and healthcare establishments in Rajasthan. This includes:
- Surgeons and specialists (for example, cardiologists, dermatologists, gynaecologists, etc.) Specifically, surgeons are considered to be at a higher risk of facing medical malpractice claims. As per the study from the Indian Journal of Medical Ethics, surgical mistakes account for nearly 80% of deaths due to medical errors.
- General physicians are especially liable for medical negligence claims relating to wrong treatment or diagnosis. The patient load is also higher for them as they are the first point of contact for many patients.
- Dentists mainly for claims like errors during extractions, performing without consent and wrong diagnoses.
- Healthcare establishments like hospitals, nursing homes and independent clinics and their support staff.
- Visiting consultants and independent doctors
- Pathologists, radiologists, anaesthetists, etc.
However, the coverage limit may vary for each medical practitioner and medical staff, considering the risk exposure in their profession. It is important to assess the risk to avail the right amount of cover.
Comparison shopping and buying online also play a significant role in choosing the right doctor’s indemnity insurance. SecureNow is one of the best online platforms to avail the best and most affordable PI insurance for medical professionals in Rajasthan.
The platform allows medical practitioners to compare various doctors’ indemnity insurance policies from different insurance companies on the side-by-side basis to make a rational decision that best suits their requirements. Digital process, online policy document, support from the experienced medico-legal panel, immediate risk cover, timely renewal reminders and a single point user-friendly interface are the main plus points of the SecureNow platform to buy professional indemnity insurance for doctors.
Why do doctors need professional indemnity insurance in Rajasthan?
Medical complexities and rising awareness among patients are leading to more medical negligence claims across the country. The following are the reasons for doctors to have the right professional indemnity insurance coverage:
- Financial protection against medical negligence claims: Even highly skilled doctors can face allegations of medical negligence due to unforeseen complications. Doctors’ indemnity insurance covers court-awarded settlements, legal expenses and compensation claims, reducing financial burden. For example, if a patient dies post-surgery during recovery time due to complications, the doctor may face a lawsuit from the patient’s family for alleged medical negligence. In this case, having professional indemnity insurance could provide legal defence and compensation coverage.
- Career protection and mental peace: A single lawsuit can damage a doctor’s reputation and cause financial ruin. The coverage offered by the indemnity insurance not only provides financial protection but also gives peace of mind. This secures their career as they can focus on patient care without constant fear of legal action.
- Coverage for unintentional errors: Many claims arise due to unintentional errors on the doctors’ part. Sometimes, even hospital errors and miscommunications can lead to claims against doctors. Indemnity insurance ensures they are not personally liable for such incidents.
Medical malpractice claims are expensive and result in hefty compensation amounts. The Consumer Protection Act of 2019 allows patients to sue doctors for malpractice, and awareness among patients leads to more legal claims. The importance of indemnity insurance for doctors in India is not just to avail the financial protection but also to manage reputation and serve the public with peace of mind.
Conclusion
To sum up, considering the rising risk of medical litigation in Rajasthan and all over India, professional indemnity insurance is no longer optional. It is an important necessity for doctors and medical establishments. Every medical practitioner needs comprehensive coverage to shield themselves against legal troubles, financial distress and the reputation damage it causes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Can medical practitioners avail coverage for past incidents that occurred before the policy purchase?
Some doctors’ indemnity insurance policies provide retroactive coverage that protects the doctors from liabilities arising from incidents that occurred earlier (before the date of policy purchase) if there was continuous insurance.
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Does a doctor’s indemnity insurance cover multiple workplaces of doctors?
Yes. Most of the professional indemnity insurance policies for doctors include cover for multiple workplaces, specifically for doctors who work as visiting consultants in hospitals and also run their private clinics.
