Things You May Not Know About Professional Indemnity Insurance Policy

As a Medical Student you are learning and it's common to feel out of depth, or worry about making an error of judgment on your elective. One of the key services we make available to all our Members is our expert, 24 hour legal advice and representation, whatever the situation and wherever you are in the world.

Here’s an example:

While a MDA National student Member is on clinical placement in a regional community hospital, investigations into missing narcotic pain medications arise. The student Member is called in for questioning alongside several hospital staff, and as part of the investigative process is asked to provide a police statement.

Concerned by the implications of this case, the student Member contacts MDA National for medico-legal advice, guidance on making a police statement, and independent legal representation.

Think of Us as Your Medico-legal Lifeline

MDA National Membership is about more than Medical-indemnity. The knowledge that your MDA National representative – an advisor who is generally qualified in both healthcare and law – is only a phone call away, provides an enormous sense of security. In fact, your Member services extend to:

• Extensive cover for clinical placements, electives and scholarship placements anywhere in the world^#
• Expert, 24 hour legal advice and representation for:
  • allegations of academic misconduct
  • investigations and inquiries
• Medical Board, Royal Commission, professional body or Coronial Court proceedings
• Allegations of criminal conduct or sexual misconduct o professional negligence claims arising from Good Samaritan acts worldwide
• Local knowledge & expertise backed by our national presence.

Doesn’t my University provide Medico-legal insurance?

Most universities hold insurance policies that provide some cover for medical students, however this doesn’t necessarily mean you are protected for your medical elective.

In fact, some universities hold insurance policies that DO NOT provide any cover for medical students. So you could be left to fund your own legal advice in the event of an incident or claim that could cost tens of thousands of dollars.

It's important you find out the details of the policy and feel confident that you will be adequately protected. For example, some university insurance policies may not cover practice undertaken outside of Australia or may exclude student electives. With this in mind, it's a good idea to organise your own medical indemnity insurance.

How much will my own indemnity cost?

The MDA National Insurance Professional Indemnity Insurance Policy is free of charge to Student Members of MDA National. If you haven’t already, you can now apply online and get instant confirmation.

 And there’s more…

• Free access to The Electives Network.
• Student ambassadors & advisers.
• Student specific-events.
• Live Well, Study Well events.
• Networking & Member Online Services.
• Low cost premiums for interns and doctors in training.

Want to know more about your student membership and medical indemnity?

Nearly 20,000 Australian medical students and Doctors in Training are MDA National Members. Find out why by visiting www.mdanational.com.au, or contact our Member Services team on 1800 011 255.

^# Excluding the United States of America and its territories unless it relates to Good Samaritan acts.