Nephrology Medical Malpractice Insurance

Nephrology is a subspecialty of Internal Medicine and deals with the study of the function and diseases of the kidney.Frequently, we will provide insurance for a nephrology group as well as the entity. An entity for a Nephrology group can be just that, a medical group, or, frequently this can include a dialysis center. The Dialysis Center can be covered alone with its own policy, or can be included with a separate limit as part of the group policy.

Nephrology is the specialty focusing on the diagnosis and management, by medication, diet, or dialysis, of malfunctions and diseases of the kidneys. Nephrology involves the diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases including electrolyte disturbances and hypertension, and the care of those requiring renal replacement therapy, including dialysis and renal transplant patients.

Many diseases affecting the kidney are not limited to the organ itself, but are systemic disorders, and may require not only a whole patient approach, but also special treatment, Patients are referred to nephrology specialists for various different reasons:

  • Cancer of the kidney, mostly renal cell carcinoma, but this is usually the domain of the urologist
  • Chronic or recurrent urinary tract infections
  • Hypertension that has failed to respond to multiple forms of anti-hypertensive medication, or could have a secondary cause
  • Electrolyte disorders or acid/base imbalance
  • Acute renal failure, a sudden loss of renal function
  • Chronic renal failure; another doctor has detected symptoms of declining renal function, often a rise in creatinine.
  • Hematuria (blood loss in the urine)
  • Proteinuria the loss of protein especially albumin in the urine
  • Kidney stones

When it comes to finding the top malpractice insurance quotes for nephrologists, it makes sense to speak with someone familiar with the specialty companies focusing in this niche. Speaking with an expert makes discounts and insurance ideas available to you that a general broker or agent may not know. Choosing an appropriate medical malpractice insurance company may involve speaking directly to the company's representatives.

Nephrologists deal with a range of kidney conditions, including hypertension, kidney stones and electrolyte disturbances. In the United States, nephrologists are certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, and must complete further training after obtaining certification in internal medicine.

Nephrology is not a surgical specialty, and most procedures and treatments performed in the specialty are noninvasive and relatively low-risk. In light of these facts, medical malpractice insurers charge nephrologists comparatively lower premiums for liability insurance. However, premiums vary widely among nephrologists based on certain criteria. Also factored into premium pricing is the number of hours worked and patients seen per week, the previous practice claim experience of the physician and specific procedures performed. Additionally, the carriers will look at any national or specialty specific society affiliations which may avail them to discounts and risk management programs.

Defensive medicine is a new buzzword, indicating the over-prescription of tests in the face of malpractice concerns.

However, regular connection with an effective and educated patient safety expert, specialist will remind the office and the nephrologists of the basic tenets of practice, risk management. Nephrologists should be careful to order any tests that might be indicated, and to make a note in medical records as to how they decided which tests to order and which to skip. In general, documentation should be thorough and complete; explaining all aspects of the physician's thought process. Documentation is one of the most important aspects of risk management.

Another important tool of risk management is effective communication. The Doctors' Company can bring our network of trained patient safety specialists in the office to provide working lunch or dinner service sessions: educational sessions on the often overlooked, important areas of practice management: good communication between doctor and patient and proper documentation referenced above. Both are essential. Patients are much less likely to sue doctors with whom they have had a positive relationship and good communication. Good communication means that the doctor expresses himself or herself clearly; making sure that the patient understands and that the patient feels his or her concerns are heard and addressed

At The Doctors Insurance Agency, we have worked with many Nephrologists in the San Francisco Bay Area to reduce premium through a hospital endorsement nephrology malpractice insurance discount program. Now, we would like to expand our area of service to help nephrologists select malpractice insurance companies that understand their situations. Our insurance agents help eliminate the stress for nephrology physicians by evaluating the pros/cons of various malpractice insurance quotes. We understand what works best for your practice as a nephrologist.

Our agents help to streamline the application process by speaking directly with the nephrology medical malpractice insurance carriers on your behalf. We will make sure your nephrology malpractice insurance policy provides complete coverage for your practice. We understand the importance of communication and want you to be kept up to speed every step of the way - we keep in touch at all times.

For more information regarding medical malpractice insurance for nephrologists, contact us or fill out the form to receive customized nephrology medical malpractice insurance quote.

Nephrology Medical Malpractice Insurance