MIEC policyholders have up to $25,000 in legal defense coverage as part of the basic policy. This covers them for accusations by their state licensing agency;investigations, administrative proceedings or civil lawsuits by the Office of the Inspector General; or non-employee claims arising from their practice that allege unlawful discrimination or harassment, assault, battery or malicious prosecution. 

MIEC also offers optional Part IV coverage, which will pay 90% of reasonable legal expenses, up to $100,000 per civil suit or administrative proceeding, with a maximum of $300,000 for all claims reported during a policy year, for the following:

• Breach of contract or agreement or other alleged misconduct in the nature of a commercial or fee dispute arising from and involving the professional practice. This includes Medicare carrier or OIG accusations, and disputes with patients, HMOs and other payers.
• Wrongful termination of an employee who provided services incidental to the practice.
• Employment discrimination or harassment against an employee, or violation of statutes providing employment protection or benefits.
• Wrongful acts or omissions alleged for a policyholder’s participation as an officer, member, witness or consultant of a national, state, or local medical or specialty society for customary and authorized activities of the society which do not involve or arise out of peer review or accreditation functions; an officer or committee or department member of a state licensed health care facility or clinic, or of the medical staff of such facility or clinic, arising from customary and authorized activities incidental to such positions. MIEC’s basic policy already covers liability as a participant in any professional peer review body, and provides indemnity protection up to your policy limits, when no other person or entity is obligated to defend or indemnify an MIEC policyholder.
• Civil claims for assault, battery, false arrest or personal restraint, malicious prosecution or conspiracy arising from professional practice, if MIEC’s basic coverage pertaining to health care services to patients and as a consultant, does not already apply. 

MIEC will appoint or approve of legal counsel to defend such cases. Coverage is subject to actual terms, exclusions, conditions and limitations of MIEC’s policy. Call MIEC for more information, including rates. 

“Prior Acts:” MIEC makes this coverage available to physicians who transfer to us from another claims-made carrier, and who do not wish to purchase “tail” coverage from their former insurer. “Prior acts” insures against new claims and lawsuits that allege negligence committed while the MIEC policyholder was insured under another company’s claims-made policy. The premium for the coverage is based on the physician’s “step-rate” (the number of years he or she was with the former carrier). The coverage is subject to approval by MIEC underwriters. 

"Tail Coverage:" Offered to any MIEC policyholder whose policy is canceled or not renewed, tail coverage extends the reporting time for covered claims beyond the life of the policy. Because most malpractice claims and suits are filed months or years after treatment or surgery, tail coverage is an important safeguard. The premium is based on rates in effect when the coverage is offered; payments may be made in three annual installments. There is no premium for policyholders who have been with us for at least five consecutive years and who retire at age 55 or older. Tail coverage also is provided at no cost if a policyholder becomes totally disabled or dies.