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• What Is Anesthesiologist Liability Insurance?
• What Does Anesthesiologist Liability Insurance Cover in Illinois?
• What Doesn't Anesthesiologist Insurance Cover in Illinois?
• Do Anesthesiologists Need Malpractice Insurance?
• How Much Does Anesthesiologist Insurance Cost in Illinois?
• What Is Anesthesiologist Assistant Malpractice Insurance?
• How an Illinois Independent Insurance Agent Can Help You

Anesthesiologists play a critical role in surgeries and procedures. However, a number of things could go wrong before, after, or when administering anesthesia. Any type of mistake opens up an anesthesiologist to being sued for malpractice. That's why Illinois anesthesiologists need the proper malpractice liability insurance.

If an accident happens or something goes wrong, a malpractice liability policy can save your practice, career, and yourself from paying a hefty lawsuit. An Illinois independent insurance agent can help you understand anesthesiologist liability insurance and how it can help you.

What Is Anesthesiologist Liability Insurance?

Liability insurance for an anesthesiologist is a specific type of liability policy that is designed to protect anesthesiologists against malpractice claims. It's often referred to as medical malpractice insurance.

While every business has to have business insurance, medical professionals face different risks that could result in being personally sued as a result of poor performance. If you're an anesthesiologist who is personally sued by a patient or a family member of someone to whom you administered anesthesia, the hospital's general liability insurance will not cover the claim. That's why anesthesiologist liability insurance is so important.

What Does Anesthesiologist Liability Insurance Cover in Illinois?

This insurance covers a variety of expenses related to a malpractice liability claim. This can include court costs, legal fees, damages, settlements, and any other financial obligations if you're sued by a patient or a family member for wrongful acts. Here are a few of the mistakes that an anesthesiologist could make

• Administering too much or too little anesthesia
• Delaying the delivery of anesthesia
• Failing to recognize adverse drug interactions
• Administering the wrong type of anesthesia
• Failing to recognize an allergic reaction
• Not providing proper instruction to the patient before surgery
• Failing to monitor the patient correctly

If a surgery goes bad and it's determined that any of the above acts were a factor in the failure of the surgery, you could be held liable for liability charges. Liability insurance will help pay for costs related to the claim.

What Doesn't Anesthesiologist Liability Insurance Cover?

Typically, an anesthesiologist liability policy will not cover any claims that are related to sexual misconduct, criminal acts, or alteration of medical records. 

It's important to note that there are two different types of malpractice liability policies you can purchase and they will affect your coverage in different ways.

• Claims-made policy: Only provides coverage if the policy was in effect when the treatment or care took place as well as when the lawsuit is filed. 
• Occurrence policy: Covers any claim of an event that took place during the period of coverage even if the lawsuit is brought outside of the period of coverage.

"These are important distinctions to understand," said insurance expert Paul Martin. "Once you retire as an anesthesiologist, you can still be sued. If you only have a claims-made policy, then your insurance will not cover any of the expenses related to the lawsuit. Fortunately, you can attach a 'tail' onto the end of your claims-made policy that will extend for however many years you choose so that someone can't come back and sue you." 

Your Illinois independent insurance agent can help you better understand claims-made and occurrence policies and determine the best route for you.

Do Anesthesiologists Need Malpractice Insurance in Illinois?

The state of Illinois does not require medical professionals to have malpractice insurance, but anesthesiologists can still benefit from this coverage. Any medical professional who actively participates in medical care on a third party needs malpractice insurance. Anesthesiologists play a critical role in surgery. Even if the surgeon is the one who messes up, the role of the anesthesiologist will be considered. 

More importantly, anesthesiologists need malpractice insurance because individual practitioners are not included in general liability insurance policies. A general liability claim is designed to pay for third-party claims of bodily injury such as slips and falls, but not for professional services. This leaves the medical practitioner exposed. While some healthcare facilities will offer professional liability policies to practitioners, not all do. You also can't take the policy with you if you leave.

For these reasons, anesthesiologists are better off getting a policy that is their own and can protect them throughout their career and beyond. 

Top causes of anesthesiologist malpractice claims

Most common complications associated with anesthesia claims

Most common damaging events due to anesthesia in claims

How Much Does Anesthesiologist Insurance Cost in Illinois?

A medical mishap can result in serious injury or even death. For these reasons, medical malpractice insurance can be very expensive. If your patient dies as a result of negligent administration of anesthesia, you could be held responsible, not only for the wrongful death charge, but also for the loss of potential income and other financial damages that the death caused the family.

For Illinois practitioners, most malpractice coverages include $1,000,000 a claim/$3,000,000 aggregate a year in liability coverage. For anesthesiologists, the average rate of malpractice insurance was $28,950. The minimum rate was $11,615 and the maximum was $63,782. 

What Is Anesthesiologist Assistant Malpractice Insurance?

An anesthesiologist assistant is a certified anesthesiologist that assists licensed anesthesiologists in care. Even if there is a licensed anesthesiologist on-site, the assistant can still be named in the lawsuit for a wrongful death or procedure. Anesthesiologist assistant malpractice insurance is simply liability insurance that includes the assistant. 

Most healthcare facilities will offer professional liability insurance for practitioners, but sometimes anesthesiologist assistants will not be included in that coverage. If you're an anesthesiologist assistant, it's best to work with an independent insurance agent to understand the coverage you have and purchase any additional liability insurance you may need.

How an Illinois Independent Insurance Agent Can Help You

Anesthesiologists in Illinois run the risk of a procedure or surgery going bad and being sued for damages. A malpractice lawsuit can run a medical professional out of a career and money. An Illinois independent insurance agent is the best way to make sure you're protected while you're practicing with the proper anesthesiologist liability insurance policy. They'll look at what professional liability may be offered through your healthcare facility and discuss options with you. When it comes time to purchase a policy, they'll shop multiple carriers to find an insurance policy that fits your needs and keeps your career safe.