This terminology guide is intended to provide you with an overview of commonly used medical professional liability terms. This material will help provide you with a better understanding of this line of insurance—that’s only fair. Please refer to the terms and conditions in your ProAssurance policy for applicable coverage information.
This guide is reprinted from Medical Professional Liability Insurance: A Practitioner’s Primer, MPLA (formerly PIAA). Copyright, 2019.
The Healthcare Professional’s Guide to Medical Professional Liability Terminology
Abandonment
The act of intentionally and permanently giving up, surrendering, deserting, or relinquishing the pursuit of a legal action.
Actuary
A specialist in the mathematics of risk, especially as it relates to insurance calculations such as premiums, reserves, and dividends.
Adjusting and Other Expenses
(See also Unallocated Loss Adjustment Expenses)
Expenses incurred by the insurance company as part of its operations, such as rent, salaries, and utility costs, that are not attributable to specific claims.
Aggregate Limits
The amount of coverage that is purchased to cover indemnity amounts for the combined number of reported events/claims for each policy period (e.g., $1 million for each incident, $3 million on an aggregate basis).
Allocated Loss Adjustment Expenses (ALAE)
(See also Defense and Cost Containment Claim Expenses)
Allocated loss adjustment expenses include those expenses incurred by the insurance company in the investigation, adjustment, or defense of specific claims. Regulators refer to these as defense and cost containment expenses.
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
A method of claim resolution that is outside the normal court system, such as mediation or arbitration. The objective of ADR is to promote more expeditious resolution of claims. Claims resolved through this rapid-resolution process can also be less costly on the system by avoiding high administrative fees. Most ADR programs are voluntary.
Bad Faith
A legal term of art that describes a civil claim an insured may have against an insurance company. It is often related to a breach of the obligation inherent in all contracts to deal with the other parties in good faith and with fair dealing, such as in paying claims or issuing a cancellation under an insurance policy.
Basic/Primary Coverage
Primary insurance provides coverage for which liability attaches immediately upon the filing of a claim. It is “first dollar” coverage, often sold at $1 million/$3 million policy limits.
Binding Arbitration
A type of alternative dispute resolution in which the decision or outcome is made by a neutral third party through moderated proceedings. The acceptance of the outcome is obligatory for both the defendant and the plaintiff.
Catastrophe Coverage/Patient Compensation
Several states have laws that establish a patient compensation or medical professional liability catastrophe coverage fund to provide for an additional layer of coverage to the insured over the basic policy limits of the insurer, similar to excess coverage.
Causation
An act, omission, or breach in the standard of care that directly produces an event/incident and without which the event/incident would not have occurred.
Certificate of Merit
A document signed by a practitioner that states that he/she has reviewed the available facts of an event/incident and agrees that the standard of care has been violated. Some states require that a certificate of merit be filed with any MPL lawsuit.
Claim
Generally defined as any written or oral demand made by or on behalf of a patient/claimant for compensation in the form of money and/or services. Policy provisions require insureds to notify the insurance company immediately upon notice of a claim. A lawsuit is a claim (See also Lawsuit).
Claimant
A patient who makes a claim for alleged malpractice.
Claim Reserve
Estimated costs to fund claims that the insurance company is aware of but that have not yet been resolved. This does not consider incurred but not reported claims.
Claims-Made Policy
A policy coverage type that covers an insured against any claim made (reported) at or after policy's retroactive (retro) date and before a policy's expiration date.
Collateral Source Rule
A rule stating that evidence that an alleged victim has been compensated by a third party for a portion of their losses may not be introduced in court so that the defendant must pay the full monetary value of the injury he/she is alleged to have caused. The rule potentially allows a plaintiff to “double dip”—collect overlapping damages from different sources for the same injury.
Combined Ratio
A measure of profitability used by an insurance company to indicate how well it is performing in its daily operations. A ratio below 100 percent indicates that the company is making underwriting profit while a ratio above 100 percent means it is paying out more money in claims than it receives from premiums.
Consent to Settle
A clause that states a company may not settle a claim on an insured’s behalf without first obtaining the insured’s written consent.
Corporation/Partnership Coverage
This policy type covers the liability of a partnership or corporation of which the insured is an owner or shareholder. Partnerships and corporations can be sued for the alleged failure to establish proper clinical practices or procedures and are often named as additional defendants in claims against the partners or shareholders in order to increase the amount of recovery potentially available to the plaintiff.
Coverage Exclusions
A condition, loss, or act expressly not covered by the policy, which may appear on the declarations page or in the policy jacket. For example, coverage for the performance of certain high-risk procedures may be excluded.
Covered Defense Costs
Any expenses paid in the process of adjudicating a claim. Costs generally include defense attorney costs, expert witness fees, and other costs associated with court costs, securing medical records, etc.
Damages
Losses incurred by the claimant/plaintiff as a result of (alleged) negligence.
Damage Cap
Statutory law that restricts the monetary recovery of the plaintiff for a specified injury, such as pain and suffering, or by restricting the total amount of recoverable damages.
Declaration Page
Also known as "coverage summary," this is the portion of an insurance policy that contains coverage data specific to the individual insured, such as name, address, policy limits, and premiums charged.
Deductible Policy
A policy that requires the insured to assume partial payment of indemnity and/or defense costs, usually from the first dollar to a predetermined limit.
Defense and Cost Containment Claim Expenses
(See also Allocated Loss Adjustment Expenses)
Expenses incurred by the insurance company in the investigation, adjustment, or defense of specific claims.
Defensive Medicine
The practice of diagnostic or therapeutic measures conducted primarily as a safeguard against possible MPL exposure.
Deposition
A fact-finding process—conducted through oral interrogations of parties and witnesses—in which both the defense and the plaintiff learn of evidence and witnesses.
Direct Written Premium
The total premiums received by the insurance company without any adjustments for the ceding of any portion of these premiums to reinsurers.
Discovery Proceedings
After the reporting of an incident, claim, or lawsuit, this process focuses on obtaining any facts and/or securing relevant evidence regarding the allegation to establish whether an alleged breach was a proximate cause of the patient’s injury/damages.
Dividends
A sum paid to policyholders as a return of a portion of premiums paid by policyholders when it can be determined that the insurance company does not need the funds to pay claims or operating expenses.
Economic Damages
Direct losses, such as medical expenses, lost wages and other expenses, incurred as a direct consequence of the injury resulting from the acts of the defendant.
Event/Incident Reporting
Any event that caused a possible error or omission that the policyholder believes has the potential for litigation. The policyholder should report such event/incident and the surrounding circumstances to the insurance company as soon as possible.
Excess Coverage
Coverage with liability attaching only after a predetermined amount of primary coverage has been exhausted. Excess coverage is only available if the insured maintains the underlying primary insurance coverage.
Exclusions
Certain actions such as specific procedures or practice at specific locations for which an insurance company will not defend or indemnify a practitioner.
Expert Witness
A medical expert who is hired by either the defense or the plaintiff to testify as to the appropriate standard of care.
Facultative Reinsurance
A type of reinsurance in which the insurance company cedes risks under individual policies to the reinsurer, rather than all risks. Used to reduce exposure to loss on an individual risk basis.
Frivolous Lawsuit
An insufficient claim not supported by the facts; a lawsuit lacking a legal basis or legal merit.
Gross Written Premium
The collective value of all policy premiums written or sold during an accounting period, such as a calendar or fiscal year.
Group Coverage
Coverage extended to multiple physicians with one policy that covers incidents that are reported on behalf of any physician named on the declaration page of the policy.
Hammer Clause
A clause that allows the insurance company to decide the point at which a case should be settled. If an insured does not agree with the decision to settle, the insurer will proceed with the case but will limit its coverage to the amount of the originally proposed settlement. If the award is more than that amount, the insured is responsible for the amount above the original settlement offer.
Incident/Accident Date
The date the alleged injury took place, also referred to as the occurrence date. Claims-made coverage claims must be reported during the time period in which the policy is in force. Under an occurrence policy this date is used to determine coverage.
Incurred But Not Reported (IBNR)
This term refers to an estimate of the number and/or value of claims that have occurred but not yet been reported to the insurance company. This projection is developed by the company’s actuaries and is based on historic information of loss experience. IBNR values are estimated for indemnity amounts and allocated loss adjustment expenses.
Incurred Expenses
Expenses paid by the insurance company in the defense of claims and suits. Includes the amounts already paid and those expected to be paid.
Incurred Losses
Losses that have occurred within a stipulated time period, whether paid or not.
Indemnification
A contractual obligation by which one person or organization agrees to secure another against loss or damage from specified liabilities.
Indemnity Payment
Money paid to a claimant/plaintiff for alleged and/or adjudicated damages incurred in resolution of a claim. The indemnity payment includes an amount equal to the economic recovery for expenses already incurred or expected to be incurred and may also include non-economic damages. Non-economic damages are paid to compensate an individual for physical and emotional pain, suffering, mental anguish, and other abstract non-monetary losses.
Individual Coverage
Coverage rendered to one practitioner with one policy that covers the incidents only for that practitioner.
Informed Consent
A patient’s choice about a medical treatment or procedure, made after a doctor or other healthcare provider discloses whatever information a reasonably prudent provider in the medical community would give to a patient regarding the risks involved in the proposed treatment or procedure.
Involuntary Dismissal
The termination of a court case despite the plaintiff ’s objection. Involuntary dismissal is granted by the court, following a motion by the defendant, on grounds that the plaintiff is not prosecuting the case, is not complying with a court order, or is not complying with the Rules of Civil Procedure.
Lawsuit (Complaint)
An action or proceeding brought before a court to recover money and/or services for the plaintiff. The action generally alleges a negligent act or omission on the part of one or more defendants.
Legal Expense Reimbursement
An insurance product that may be offered by insurance companies to cover defense expense costs associated with investigations or government proceedings related to fraud and abuse.
Limits of Liability
The maximum amount of insurance under a policy that can be paid to the policyholder or other party for a covered loss.
Locum Tenens Coverage
Coverage extended to an additional insured on a policy in cases in which that practitioner is providing temporary medical coverage for the policyholder.
Loss Ratio
The ratio of incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses to earned premiums.
Loss Reserve
An estimate of an insurer's liability from future claims. Loss reserves allow an insurer to cover claims made against policies that it underwrites.
Mature Rate (Mature Premium)
The fee a policyholder will pay during the year the policy matures, generally the fifth year. The first-level premium is substantially lower than a mature premium and is designed for policyholders who are new to practice and therefore have no claims history.
Mediation
A type of alternative dispute resolution in which the parties and their attorneys, as well as an independent mediation specialist, are brought together to discuss the merit of the case and the appropriate compensation, if any.
Medical Misadventure
An alleged departure from the standard of medical care including errors in diagnosis, treatment, performance of procedures, supervision, or timeliness that resulted in injury to a patient.
Merit Rate
A rating by an insurance company based on an individual doctor’s risk. A merit rating system can provide for a reduction in premium to insureds who do not have a claim filed or payment made against them for a predetermined amount of time.
Meritorious
A lawsuit meriting a legal victory; having legal worth.
MICRA
Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act of 1975 (California). Among other things, MICRA places a $250,000 cap on non-economic damages (pain and suffering); limits attorney contingency fees; allows periodic payments of future damages in excess of $50,000; and establishes a statute of limitations of three years from an injury or of one year from the discovery of an injury and its negligent cause.
Net Written Premium
The gross premium written by the insurance company minus the reinsurance ceded to other companies.
Non-binding Arbitration
A type of alternative dispute resolution in which the decision or outcome is made through a moderated proceeding and the acceptance of the outcome is not mandatory for either the defendant or the plaintiff.
Non-economic Damages
A value determined to compensate the injured party for diminished personal enjoyment, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, etc.
Nose Coverage—(See Prior Acts Coverage)
Occurrence Policy
A policy that covers an insured against any claim that arises from an event occurring during the policy period regardless of when the claim is reported.
Patient Compensation Fund—(See Catastrophe Coverage)
Per Incident Limits
The amount of coverage that is purchased to cover indemnity amounts for each claim reported for a single injury during a policy period, e.g. $1 million/$3 million.
Plaintiff
A patient/claimant who undertakes formal litigation against a practitioner for alleged negligence in his/her medical care or treatment.
Policy
Also known as the "policy form" or "jacket," this portion of an insurance policy contains policy provisions common to all insureds, such as covered acts, methods of indemnification, and claims reporting requirements.
Policy Endorsement
Additions or modifications to the policy. Endorsements can be added to restrict or expand coverages for the person(s) insured by the policy. An endorsement can add additional insureds or corporations for an additional premium. It can also be used to reflect modification of specialty, territory, or scope of practice of an insured.
Premium
The amount an insured is charged that reflects his/her expected loss or risk. In MPL coverage, the premium can be based on specialty, geographic region of practice, prior claims history, performance of high-risk procedures, and other underwriting parameters.
Premium-to-Surplus Ratio
The ratio of premiums written to policyholders’ surplus. This ratio is one measure of the adequacy of the company’s financial strength. The lower the ratio, the greater the company’s financial strength.
Prior Acts Coverage
Also known as "nose coverage" or "retroactive coverage," this type of claims-made policy provides insurance for claims arising from incidents that occurred while previous claims-made policies were in effect, but that were not reported until the last in a succession of policies was terminated. Under prior acts coverage, the new policy covers claims back to the retroactive date. With such coverage, purchase of tail coverage from the previous carrier is not necessary.
Professional Liability Insurance
A policy of insurance that covers professional services rendered from which an act or omission must arise for coverage to be applicable. Policies typically include all services rendered in the insured’s professional capacity. Professional liability policies generally have exclusions for “any dishonest, fraudulent, or criminal act or omission,” as well as general exclusions for property damage, or sexual misconduct.
Pro Rata
A Latin word meaning proportionality; according to an exact rate, measure, or interest.
Pro Tanto
A Latin word meaning “only to the extent of; so far; for so much.” In legal terminology it refers to the partial payment done when a claim is made.
Punitive Damages
Punitive awards by the court intended to punish the defendant for flagrant or willful, wanton, and reckless misconduct, rather than to compensate the patient. Punitive damages are rarely awarded in medical liability cases, but are commonly sought by the plaintiff attorney to secure a settlement.
Reinsurance
Insurance purchased by the primary insurance carrier to protect against excess losses. The reinsurer agrees to indemnify a primary company against all or part of the loss that the company may sustain under the policy(ies) issued. For example, a primary insurer may issue a policy for $1 million per incident and $3 million annual aggregate. Under a reinsurance treaty, the reinsurance company may agree to pay all losses above $500,000 per incident and $1.5 million annual aggregate in return for premium paid by the primary insurer.
Report Date
The date on which the alleged injury is reported to the insurance company. The report date that is recorded can be for an event that resulted in an incident report, a claim, or a lawsuit. A practitioner with claims-made coverage must have a policy in effect on the date that the injury or action was reported for coverage to be effective. If the claims-made policy has been canceled or has expired prior to the report date, the insured must have purchased a reporting endorsement for the claim to be covered.
Reporting Endorsement
Also known as "tail coverage," this endorsement provides coverage for claims caused by acts or omissions that occurred during a policy period but are reported after a policy has expired or been canceled.
Restrictions
Limitations placed on MPL coverage that affect the scope of practice.
Retained Loss
A loss incurred by a business that is recorded within the retained earnings account in the equity section of its balance sheet. The retained earnings account contains both the gains earned and losses incurred by a business and nets together the two balances.
Retroactive (Retro) Date
First date of coverage for a claims-made policy.
Risk Based Capital (RBC)
The amount of required capital that the insurance company must maintain based on the inherent risks in the insurers operations.
Slot Coverage
Coverage that is offered to group practices and institutions and covers the risk of a “block” of exposures, i.e. several physicians rotating through one full-time equivalent position.) In a big group practice, there may be several physicians that rotate in and out of the office but perform as only one full-time physician and fill the “slot” on a rotating basis.
Standard of Care
A diagnostic and treatment process a practitioner should follow for a certain type of patient illness, or clinical circumstance. In legal terms, the level at which the average, prudent provider in a given community would practice. It is how similarly qualified practitioners would have managed the patient’s care under the same or similar circumstances. The plaintiff must establish the appropriate standard of care and demonstrate that the standard of care has been breached to pursue a finding of negligence.
Statute of Limitations
A legislative act restricting the time within which legal proceedings may be brought, usually to a fixed period after the occurrence of the events that gave rise to the cause of action.
Surcharge
The opposite of a merit rating, under a surcharge program an insured pays an additional premium if he/she exceeds a certain claims experience threshold based on several characteristics, including specialty, number of claims, and the outcome and/or the amounts paid for each claim.
Surplus
The aggregate assets the company has in excess of its direct financial obligations. The surplus is equivalent to the capital and retained earnings or net worth. It is the amount by which assets exceed liabilities.
Tail Coverage—(See Reporting Endorsement)
Territory
The geographic area in which the physician practices. Professional liability premiums can vary greatly between geographic regions of the same state. It is critical that the insured inform the insurer of all regions in which he/she practices, within or outside of one state.
Total Premium Earned
The portion of premium dollars collected by the company that has been allocated to the insurance company’s loss experience, expenses, and profit year-to-date. For an insurance policy with an annual premium of $365, one additional dollar of premium is earned with the passage of each day.
Treaty Reinsurance
A type of reinsurance in which a reinsurer underwrites part or all of a ceding company’s book of business.
Unallocated Loss Adjustment Expenses (ULAE)
Expenses incurred by the insurance company to resolve claims that are not attributable to specific claims, such as rent, salaries, and utility costs.
Underwriting Expenses
Expenses incurred by insurance companies to market, sell, and produce insurance policies.
Unearned Premium
The part of the premium applicable to the unexpired part of the policy. It has not yet been earned by the insurance company and, therefore, is due to the policyholder if the policy should be canceled. Unearned premium is carried as a liability on the company’s balance sheet.
Vicarious Liability
Liability imposed upon a person even though he/she is not a party to the specific occurrence. Insurance coverage can be provided for other health professionals when they are working under direct supervision of the insured physician. For example, an anesthesiologist may have a “vicarious liability” exposure for certified registered nurse anesthetists under their supervision or employ.