I was recently looking at my insurance options on the assumption that when something looks to good to be true, it probably is. After all I couldn't understand how the APA could be selling a public sector physio a $20million insurance policy for $34. Of course I assume a lot of the real cost is hidden in their membership fee but it does beg to ask the question: 'what's the deal is if that individuals membership is cancelled by someone not themselves'?

Reading the small print on the insurance policy I noticed that the named Insured is shown as the Australia Physiotherapy Association, with the member noted in another section as an 'Insured Member:'. So I assume this means the APA has a master policy and they as a group are insured, and as a member I can have cover under that.

This worried me a little so I began thinking about scenarios where my insurance might not hold up, what if hypothetically (but always a real possibility in this litigious world) I was involved in a claim that also resulted in some sort of disciplinary action by the APA/AHPRA/Physio Registration Board. And what if the results of that disciplinary panel meant that APA then terminated my membership. Both scenarios I suppose have happened in the past so I think this is a reasonable concept.

Now what would happen to my insurance if the above scenario actually happened? I would no longer be an APA member so I don't have access to the APA's block insurance. In this case would the broker still continue to insure me? Would they do so at their normal, non-member market rates? Would they charge me a lot more knowing that they would be my only insurance option? Would I still be entitled to the reinstatement of limits as set out against claims subject to me still paying my premiums?

If the answers to the above were NO (not a member anymore therefore cover ceases) then it is unlikely any other PI insurer would take on my risk (due to a claims history and a recent disciplinary action). I have known of this happening for something as simple as someone starting a relationship with a patient in the past. After that at least one insurer would not insure them as they had been put on a 12 month supervised probation. No insurance means under the law I cannot practice in Australia any more. I suppose if the individual wasn't kicked out of the membership then they would be forced to stay for the insurance, even though they might disagree with the outcome and want to leave. Not great freedom of choice for the therapist involved.

I see the above as a real consideration under the new insurance structure. Maybe there will be clarification on the above from the APA but I think everyone would want to have in writing that if they ceased to become a member at the decision of the APA (not the individual) that they would still have access to the insurance reinstatement of limits subject to them continuing to pay the standard market premiums of the existing insurance provider. Without these people could be left with no access to malpractice cover at all.

Food for thought. I am sticking with my Physiosure policy for peace of mind.

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