Below are the most recent (past 12 months) of our Avoiding Malpractice Tips. If you need to find an older article, use are search bar to find the information you are seeking.
Insurance Pulse – A Mid-Year 2022 Glimpse
Since May 2021, inflation has spiked prices further and is running at over 8% annually. So what is happening in the insurance market? As Yogi Berra once said (MLB Yankees catcher), “It’s tough to make predictions, especially about the future.”
You Are A Leader… But Responsibility Comes With The Power
Can you be a leader? You already are a leader. You do not need to be responsible for a huge organization to be a leader. You need to show support for others and enable others by helping them to reach their potential through guidance and healing.
Claims Adjudication…Is Your Carrier E-Cubed?
What is “E-Cubed?” The Preferra Insurance Company RRG, formerly NASW Risk Retention Group’s practice of EXCELLENT claims customer service, with insurance coverage delivered ETHICAL and EQUITABLE. The power of these three critical elements has proven to protect RRG policyholders while maintaining the lowest premiums in the industry, the most comprehensive liability insurance policies available, and the lowest claims loss history for a fiscally healthy RRG with the “Excellent” A.M. Best rating. We will discuss these three critical elements.
Are You Part of the 99.3% of the Social Workers Who Will Experience Violence on the Job?
Today we will examine the risks of violence facing you and some tactics that you can use to mitigate the damages. It is a recognized fact that you will experience violence while on the job during your career. A qualitative study published in the Journal for the Society of Social Work and Research interviewed a random sample of 1,500 social workers. Over 1,490 of the respondents, 99.3% (virtually everybody), said they experienced violence during the past two years.
If You Think Your Insurance Covers Like Paint, Where is it Blistered and Peeling?
Recently, the Preferra Insurance Company RRG, formerly NASW Risk Retention Group (“RRG”) conducted a proprietary market research study of certain competitors’ professional liability insurance policies. We uncovered some alarming findings. They metaphorically equate to what you think you see as a freshly painted house; but up close, it is really a peeled paint blistered mess.
The Case of the “Crazed Contractor”
Do you employ or intend to employ a contractor in your practice? If the answer is yes, you better read about this lawsuit that recently occurred. A claim was made against a Professional Liability Insurance policyholder of the Preferra Insurance Company RRG, formerly NASW Risk Retention Group, who defended and adjudicated this case.
General Liability – Chapter 2
In August 2019, we published our “General Facts About General Liability” Tip of the Month. Since then, there has been a shift in practice methods that we need to address. Spawned by COVID-19, there has been an increase in walk-and-talk sessions and more sessions occurring out of office venues, aside from an increase in teletherapy.
Sexual Misconduct
A male practitioner sent sexually-oriented communications to a mentally and emotionally disturbed female adult client through voice mail, verbally directly by telephone, email, texts, letters, and cards by mail. A blatant case of a clinical setting boundary violation and sexual misconduct with no physical interaction, this indefensible sexual misconduct claim is valid regardless of the lack of physical, sexual interaction.
Would You Buy a Raincoat Full of Holes?
A client trips on your waiting room carpet, falls and breaks an ankle. Does your General Liability policy cover you? Maybe! Maybe NOT!
Insurance Tips and Why You Buy
While reflecting on your recent summer vacation, it’s a good time to ask yourself why you buy insurance? Are you looking to comply with a state licensing requirement, a requirement by your employer, or simply your need for protection? Are you only price-driven, or do you evaluate your insurance policy to understand the actual benefits, limits, sub-limits, and value?
Professional Liability Insurance Headwinds and the New Normal in Teletherapy
Client sessions occurring in person will eventually return to normal. But in our opinion, a new normal is sprouting with greater use of teletherapy. Congress is considering legislation to loosen teletherapy restrictions and allow more use of teletherapy across state lines.
Mindful, Watchful, and Careful
Traveling is picking up again as the nation comes out of COVID-19 and as the vacation season approaches. Moreover, some practitioners must travel overnight for work. Whether for work or vacation, traveling has risks even while providing professional services during the day. For your safety, it is important to be Mindful and aware; Watchful: vigilant; and Careful: prudently cautious to avoid danger and harm.
COVID-19 Notice
Preferra Insurance Company RRG, formerly NASW Risk Retention Group (NASW RRG) shares information based on our helpline inquiries, corresponding claims history, and an understanding of a varying nationwide professional state regulatory environment.
Due to COVID-19, many states have implemented or waived specific regulations; it is the individual professional's responsibility to research, implement, and monitor those regulations; and apply our risk management content as a consideration in your practice environment. Do not interpret this risk management material as any means to alter professional training, standards, nor any ethics information provided by your professional association.
Please understand, the NASW RRG makes no representations or warranties other than those stated to our current policyholders in the insurance policy contract. Please contact us if you have further questions.