FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Securing Coverage from the JUA |
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| Q: Can I get a binder from the Association while I develop the underwriting information? | |
A: We need to have a signed, completed application (download a copy from this website) and payment of a binder premium in order to bind coverage. Our binder offer letter will list the items that are needed to complete the file. |
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| Q: I just need coverage for a few days. How can I get coverage? | |
A: The process for securing coverage is the same regardless of the coverage period. At a minimum we need a signed, completed application. If you have a short term position with a fixed beginning and end date, we will give you short term coverage. |
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| Q: I just need coverage for a few months, but I'm not sure exactly how long. How can I get coverage? | |
A: We will offer you a 1 year policy. When you secure coverage elsewhere, you can cancel the policy following normal cancellation procedures subject to the terms that will be outlined in our quotation letter. We only offer short term coverage for fixed, short term positions or to applicants who have already resigned from a position and need coverage only until a specified end date. Once a short term policy is issued, the term cannot be changed. |
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| Q: I received a quotation from the Association, but the date that I needed the coverage changed. Is the quotation still good? If not, do I need to send in a new application? | |
A: The quotation indicates when it expires. If your quotation has expired and is less than 6 months old and there have been no changes, we need a signed letter stating that there have been no changes. We will then update the quotation. If there have been changes or the quotation is more than 6 months old, we require a new application. |
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| Coverages Available from the Association | |
| Q: What type of coverage is offered by the Association? | |
A: The Association provides claims-made coverage for institutions. Claims-made coverage is offered to individuals who previously had coverage on a claims-made basis. Coverage for individual providers who previously had coverage on an uninterrupted occurrence basis is available on either a claims-made or occurrence basis. The coverage is sufficient to meet the requirements of The Act, but does not include extensions of coverage that may be included on the policies of other carriers. To locate a licensed or authorized insurance company visit the Pennsylvania Insurance Department web-site carriers are listed alphabetically: www.insurance.state.pa.us/dsf/gfsearch.html You may also benefit from the assistance of an agent or broker. |
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| Q: I did not purchase a tail policy during the period it was available from another carrier. Can I purchase a tail from the Association? | |
A: See Tail Coverage from the Association below. |
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| Q: I currently have insurance on a claims-made basis. The coverage has been non-renewed and I have been unable to find coverage elsewhere. What type of coverage can I purchase from the Association? | |
A: You can purchase claims-made coverage. You should consider purchasing a tail from your current carrier for your expiring coverage |
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| Q: My claims-made coverage has been non-renewed. Can I purchase a tail from that carrier and get occurrence coverage with the JUA? | |
A: No, the Association will offer you claims-made coverage. |
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| Q: What coverage options are available for policies for employees of an organization? | |
A: Coverage may be purchased on a 24-hour basis or a "scope of duties" basis. |
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| Q: I currently have insurance on a claims-made basis. The coverage has been non-renewed. I have been unable to find coverage elsewhere. Can I get coverage from the Association with my current retroactive date? | |
A: Yes, but your prior coverage may be broader. You may want to consider purchasing tail coverage from your prior carrier. This may be particularly true if you did any work outside Pennsylvania. |
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| Q: My practice is primarily in another state, but I do some work in Pennsylvania. Can I get coverage from the Association? | |
A: Yes as long as you are licensed in Pennsylvania and for basic limits only, but your practice in another state is not covered. |
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| Q: I've just been notified that one of my prior carriers is in liquidation and the coverage I had is no longer valid. Can you help me replace the coverage? | |
A: Yes, see Coverages for Former Insureds of Carriers in Liquidation |
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| Q: If I purchase coverage from the Association, will it cover my liability as an owner of a professional corporation? | |
A: No, separate coverage must be purchased for the corporation. |
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| Q: If I purchase claims-made coverage from the Association, will it include a free tail in the event of death, disability or retirement? | |
A: No, separate coverage must be purchased for the tail if any of these events occur. |
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| Institutional Coverage | |
| Q: Are contracted physicians and nurses automatically covered under a policy issued to a hospital? What about volunteers? | |
A: No, the policy for only provides coverage for: - executive officers, stockholders or member of the board of trustees, directors or governors of the Named Insured while acting within the scope of his duties as such; - employees of the Named Insured (excluding medical doctors, doctors of osteopathy and doctors of podiatry) who are licensed or approved by the Commonwealth to provide health care services while acting within the scope of their duties in providing such services as employees of the Named Insured. |
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| Q: Can Additional Insured endorsements be added to a policy issued to a corporation such as a hospital? Is slot position coverage available? | |
A: No, all individuals and entities are evaluated for eligibility separately and if eligible for coverage, provided separate policies. |
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| Tail Coverage from the Association | |
| Q: I did not purchase a tail policy during the period it was available from another carrier. Can I purchase a tail from the Association? | |
A: Yes, and we cover health care providers who have been identified by Mcare as noncompliant with Pennsylvania’s medical professional liability insurance requirements. You will need to complete and submit a JUA standard application, Extended Reporting Period (Tail) Supplemental Application and a copy of your prior policy declarations page. Complete the standard application as if you were completing it at the time you were covered by the prior carrier. The standard application can be downloaded from the Applications section of the website. The supplemental application can be downloaded from the Coverages for Former Insureds of Carriers in Liquidation section. We may ask for additional information to complete the underwriting and pricing of the applications. |
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| Renewal Process | |
| Q: What happens when my policy needs to be renewed? | |
A: About 3 months before your renewal date, a renewal application and a request for updated prior carrier claim histories for the past 8 years will be requested. These requests are sent to your agent (or directly to you if you do not have an agent). - When the renewal application and updated information is received, a renewal quotation is supplied. - If you do not send in the required information 45 days in advance of the renewal, we will send a tentative renewal quotation (with a debit for incomplete information) to your agent (or directly to you if you do not have an agent). You will have until the expiration of the policy to supply the information. We cannot renew your policy unless the signed, completed renewal application is returned. - If you do not pay for your renewal by the date we request payment, we will send you a notice directly (with a copy to your agent if you have one) reminding that your payment must be received by the expiration date of the policy. - If you do not pay for your renewal by the expiration date of the policy, it will expire and you will not have coverage. |
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| Financial Information | |
| Q: What is the A.M. Best rating for the Association? | |
A: The Association is not rated by A.M. Best. However the Association does file its Annual and Quarterly statements with NAIC and the Pennsylvania Insurance Department. We also have an audited financial statement.
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Other Resources |
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| Q: How do I find out more about Mcare? | |
A: Visit the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error website at www.mcare.state.pa.us. |
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