What does the Nurses Services Organization (NSO) Insurance Cover?
Once considered an option, in recent years, the language of the courts has determined that nurses are individuals, and as such, are responsible for individual professional liability insurance. Employers are not necessarily responsible for law suits directed at individual employees. Complaints against the Board of Nurses have become more frequent, increasing the possibilities of experiencing a malpractice suit for individual practicing nurses.
The Nurses Services Organization (NSO) Insurance is a policy designed to protect the interests of nurses against malpractice lawsuits. It is advised that all nurses should carry malpractice insurance, whether they are working for an employer or as a private practice.
Who Does Nurses Services Organization (NSO) Insurance Cover?
NSO Insurance is an extremely diversified and comprehensive service providing coverage for over eighty different types of healthcare professionals and healthcare providers. Discounts to graduating students are offered, provided they apply within twelve months of graduation. The same benefits are offered to both employed and self-employed professionals, as well as nurses who hold more than one type of license. It also provides easy transference of coverage for nurses choosing a specialized field or who are switching from one area of the nursing profession to another.
All healthcare providers should carry malpractice insurance as long as they hold an active nursing license. Exposure to a liability situation can occur for nothing more than providing healthcare advice, even if the advice was free, and the nurse was not currently engaged in the practice.
Why do those in Nursing and Related Fields need NSO Insurance?
At one time, lawsuits were rarely directed at the nursing profession. As the ones with both the greater authority and financial assets, lawsuits were typically directed at physician or medical doctor in charge of the patient’s care. Attorneys for the defendants no longer dismiss charges against healthcare providers simply because they will not be able to receive a large cash settlement. If the courts determine malpractice was involved, the plaintiff is still held responsible.
Without malpractice insurance, those employed in the healthcare are extremely vulnerable to lawsuits. Employers are not obligated to cover their employees under malpractice insurance. A lawsuit can become extremely expensive and time consuming, even costing the healthcare provider his or her license.
While the facility you work for may provide certain types of insurance benefits, it will not provide coverage for a lawsuit filed against the Board of Nursing. Even if you are not found guilty, you may be refused employment during the length of time the malpractice suit is taking place. You will still be responsible for all attorney fees.
How do NSO Insurance Policies Work?
NSO insurance policies are designed to allow health care providers full malpractice coverage in all phases of their careers, without the necessity of searching a separate insurance plan based on changes in their licensing. The premiums may change in accordance to the number of licenses they hold and the risk factors involved in their employment, but will not have to be cancelled or altered for changes in their career progression. An intern entering the field of licensed nursing or a nurse entering a more specialized field may still hold the same NSO insurance policy.
The greatest consideration is in studying, the insurance offer determine whether it’s a regulatory defense policy or one designed for license defense. Before signing an agreement, the nurse should be fully aware of the different types and terms offered within the malpractice liability policy.
Violence in the work place has become a growing concern among most healthcare providers. In all states except Texas, most NSO insurance policies will cover the expenses of any injuries suffered by a healthcare provider in the performance of duties. A comprehensive NSO insurance policy will cover the expense of a lawsuit, allow the nurse to evaluate settlement offers without petitioning the Board of Nursing and protect the nurse’s license and career.