Woodbridge, N.J., July 6, 2011 – Physician Assistants may not be fully or properly covered if they are named in a medical malpractice lawsuit and should consider purchasing their own professional liability insurance outside their employer-provided plans, according to a new white paper from NIP Programs. A division of NIP Group, Inc. (www.NIPGroup.com), NIP Programs is a leader in the design and management of specialty insurance programs. The white paper, The Physician Assistant and Individual Medical Malpractice Insurance Landscape, reports that some Physician Assistants falsely believe that if they are named in a malpractice lawsuit, their employer’s coverage will fully defend them. However, this is not always the case.

“With employer-provided coverage, limits are oftentimes shared with all defendants, there may be no coverage for off-duty incidents, or the coverage may be canceled following a job change,” said David Springer, President of NIP Programs and author of the paper. “This leaves Physician Assistants in a vulnerable position that could be avoided if they have a personal policy.” According to the white paper, a personal policy can help Physician Assistants to hire their own attorney, enabling them to defend their own interests. Not only does an individual medical professional liability policy provide Physician Assistants with separate limits of liability, but it also enables them to eliminate potential conflicts of interest that may occur with their employer group policy.

“As recent court decisions have shown, physician assistants need their own personal advocate, fighting to protect them, their interests and their career,” Springer said.

The white paper also addresses:

• Myths about Physician Assistant medical malpractice insurance
• A checklist of questions that Physician Assistants can use when analyzing their medical malpractice coverage.
• How to make sure a policy is portable if a Physician Assistant changes jobs.
• Case studies that cover three common errors that led to malpractice suits.
• Tips to help Physician Assistant decrease their risk of malpractice suits.
• Reasons why Physician Assistants need their own medical malpractice policy

To download the white paper, click here.

About NIP Programs
NIP Programs, a division of NIP Group, Inc. (www.nipgroup.com), is a leading U.S. specialty insurance program manager operating in all states. NIP Group, Inc. is a specialized business insurance and risk management intermediary, ranked among the largest 100 in the United States and providing a wide range of brokerage, underwriting and risk management services to select market segments.

Woodbridge, N.J., March 1, 2011 – NIP Programs, a division of NIP Group, Inc. (www.NIPGroup.com), a leader in the design and management of specialty insurance programs, has introduced MedEdge for Physician Assistants, a new personal, customizable and affordable professional liability coverage that protects, defends and rewards Physician Assistants.

Backed by an A.M. Best “A-rated” insurance carrier, MedEdge features professional liability coverage that goes beyond traditional coverages currently offered, with additional AD&D and Occupational Incident Hepatitis C and HIV Benefits included in most states.

“MedEdge is a budget-friendly entry into personal insurance coverage for Physician Assistants, with coverage options that adjust as a Physician Assistant’s career grows,” said NIP Programs President, David Springer. “MedEdge is passionate about protecting healthcare practitioners and goes beyond insurance with a Three-In-One Protection Plan for Physician Assistants that protects their interests, defends their reputation and livelihood, and rewards them with discounts for a good track record.”

MedEdge protects Physician Assistants, acting as a personal advocate and fighting to protect their interests and careers with:

• Their own personal coverage and dedicated policy limits
• Tools to lower risk, including a robust library of patient safety and risk management materials, guides and tools
• A risk management team that is available to help when a situation arises
• Up-to-date information on new regulations, emerging trends and information to lower premiums over time

A cornerstone of coverage is how MedEdge defends Physician Assistants, vigorously protecting their professional reputations and livelihoods. Given the professional and personal challenges of malpractice claims, MedEdge claims experts are available to marshal all their resources, from initial notice to final resolution.

MedEdge also rewards Physician Assistants with discounts for their safe track records and outstanding patient care. Additionally, MedEdge offers discounts for part-time Physician Assistants, students and recent graduates, and works diligently to secure and maintain the best insurance rates and coverages.

MedEdge for Physician Assistants is currently available in 36 states with more approved each day. For more information on MedEdge or to download forms, please visit the NIP Programs website at http://www.nipgroup.com/programs/mededge/ or by calling 877-449-EDGE (or 877-449-3343).

About NIP Programs
NIP Programs, a division of NIP Group, Inc. (www.nipgroup.com), is a leading U.S. specialty insurance program manager operating in all states. NIP Group, Inc. is a specialized business insurance and risk management intermediary, ranked among the largest 100 in the United States and providing a wide range of brokerage, underwriting and risk management services to select market segments.