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What You Need to Know To Be a Volunteer

A. Yes. Psychiatrists insured through The Program are covered for the rendering of psychiatric services as a volunteer. However, psychiatrists who wish to volunteer in a state where they are not licensed must check with the licensing authority before providing treatment. Please go to the Web site at <www.psychprogram.com> or call (800) 245-3333 for more information regarding the licensing requirements and other risk management information related to volunteering.

Q. I am opening a private practice next year. My lawyer told me that I need insurance to cover liability exposures on my premises. Does the Psychiatrists' Program offer this type of coverage?

A. The Psychiatrists' Program provides premises liability coverage at no additional cost as part of your professional liability insurance coverage. The limits of liability are equal to the liability limits for your malpractice coverage (coverage and limits may vary by state).

Premises liability insurance is necessary to protect your practice. It is also widely known as "slip and fall" coverage. It provides coverage for claims of bodily injury, property damage, and/or personal injury caused by an occurrence and arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of a medical office or clinic of the insured premises. Without this coverage, you are gambling with your financial future.

Q. Now that the compliance deadlines for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations have passed, I have the appropriate policies and procedures in place, and my employees have all been trained. However, as time passes, I am finding that some more complex situations regarding the regulations are beginning to arise. Can you recommend a resource to help me understand these issues?

A. Professional Risk Management Services Inc. (PRMS) has recognized the need for an even more in-depth understanding of the intricacies of these complicated regulations as new and complex situations arise. To that end, PRMS has developed a resource book, Beyond the Basics, featuring a compilation of risk management resources addressing HIPAA. From easy-to-use checklists to in-depth articles, this book answers many tough questions. Among them:

• Does the patient really have the right to access the entire record when state law only requires me to release a summary of the record?
  
• Does the privacy rule change parents' rights to access their child's private health information (PHI)?
  
• What happens if PHI is inadvertently disclosed or intentionally stolen?
  
• What are the rules for determining whether state law is preempted by the federal regulations?
  

To order Beyond the Basics, which costs $79.95, please visit <www.prms.com> or call (800) 245-3333, ext. 347.

This column is provided by PRMS, manager of the Psychiatrists' Program, for the benefit of members. More information about The Program is available by visiting its Web site at <www.psychprogram.com>; calling (800) 245-3333, ext. 389; or sending an e-mail to TheProgram{at}prms.com.

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