Allied health professionals comprise more than 60% of the healthcare workforce, accounting for over 7 million workers in just the U.S alone. From physical therapists to urgent care staff, these professionals meet the rising demand for healthcare services, especially as the population ages. With the allied health sector projected to grow by 13% over the next decade, providers are essential to patient care and represent a significant economic force, generating nearly $400 billion annually through outpatient services alone.
Given the sheer size of this workforce and the complexities of the care they provide, allied healthcare professionals depend on having the proper insurance protections in place. Our communities need these valued professionals — and they need you to stay one step ahead of their insurance options and needs. With the current upward trend in lawsuits and jury awards, your clients may benefit from a coverage review.
What Is Allied Health?
Allied health encompasses a broad category of healthcare professionals who provide care and support services outside hospital settings — like outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers, and patients’ homes. They deliver specialized care that contributes to patient wellness, whether physical, mental, or emotional. The range of specialties under the allied health umbrella includes professionals working in adult day care, outpatient alcohol and drug rehabilitation centers, urgent care clinics, and medical spas. Given the diversity of their work environments and the nature of their services, their insurance coverage must be customizable to address their specific risks.
Key Insurance Needs for Allied Health Professionals
Allied health professionals face distinct risks stemming from daily operations such as interacting with patients, utilizing specialized equipment, and handling sensitive medical data. Appropriate liability coverage is a must, but it is also made more challenging given the complexities of their business. Here are several important coverages for allied health professionals.
Professional Liability
Malpractice or negligence claims can severely impact allied health professionals, even those maintaining the highest standards of care. Perhaps you have a client working as a physical therapist treating a patient post-surgery. Despite following protocols, the patient claims their injury has worsened due to improper rehabilitation techniques. Professional liability insurance would cover the legal defense and settlement costs, protecting the therapist from financial ruin.
General Liability
Allied health professionals also face general liability risks. For example, an urgent care clinic might experience an incident where a patient trips on a misplaced piece of equipment and suffers an injury. In this case, the clinic could be liable for the accident. General liability insurance covers the medical bills and any associated legal expenses, ensuring that these unforeseen incidents don’t become a financial burden.
Sexual Abuse (Molestation) Liability
Sexual abuse (molestation) liability claims are, sadly, a risk for allied health professionals in every field of practice. While professional liability often excludes claims related to abuse and molestation, this extends liability coverage to explicitly include these types of claims.
Employee Theft Liability
Employee theft liability provides coverage to help ensure that a business does not bear the full financial burden resulting from an employee’s actions. In the allied health sector, this could include allegations against an employee such as theft of cash or checks, forgery and alteration, fraudulent credit card charges, illegal or unauthorized transfer of funds, theft of inventory, and more.
Hired and Non-Owned Auto Liability
Hired and non-owned auto (HNOA) is an important coverage for many allied health operations. HNOA provides liability coverage for vehicles hired, rented, or borrowed for business use, including employees’ personal vehicles used for work-related tasks. This important coverage provides a financial safety net for clinics, laboratory facilities, home health care, and other types of allied health businesses when the company or its employees are found legally at fault for an accident causing injury, death, or damage to someone else’s property.
Tap into MiniCo’s Allied Health Program
MiniCo’s exclusive Allied Health program offers a full suite of essential liability coverage options designed to protect allied healthcare professionals and businesses. With over five decades of class-specific experience, MiniCo understands the complexity of risks faced by allied health professionals and operations. Working with MiniCo gives you access to exclusive markets for your allied health clients in classes to include adult day care, outpatient alcohol and drug rehabilitation centers, home health care, hospice, medi-spas (medical spas), medical clinics (see exclusions), outpatient mental health clinics, phlebotomy clinics, urgent care clinics, and many others. Program details, a full list of eligible classes, and submission requirements are available on our website. Questions? Contact our experienced program underwriters to learn more.
