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Osteopathy is an increasingly popular healthcare modality amongst Australians but with additional exposure to clients from a broader spectrum of the population comes additional risk for practitioners. Here’s an outline of the professional indemnity options for osteopaths, whether they own their own private practice or are employees within an existing practice.
Australian Osteopathic Association
The Australian Osteopathic Association (AOA) is the peak body for osteopaths within Australia. It provides members with information about changes to regulations and legislation related to the industry, organises osteopathy education sessions and works with other organisations to achieve benefits for its members. One example of this is negotiating with insurance companies to make it easier for osteopaths to find appropriate and well priced insurance.
For students of osteopathy students the Student Osteopathic Medicine Association (SOMA), a division of AOA, is a valuable resource and networking service.
Insuring osteopaths
Most osteopathy courses in Australia are five-year university degrees and this level of study is necessary to gain membership of the AOA. Membership to SOMA requires the member to be enrolled in an accredited course in osteopathy.
The National Registration Board of Conduct requires all osteopaths in practice (and seven years after retiring) to carry professional indemnity insurance. The AOA has negotiated a $10 million insurance package for cover with Guild Insurance, one of Australia’s largest medical indemnity providers.
The package is only available to AOA members and also includes public liability. This is particularly important if a practitioner is attending, speaking at or organising an event. Most indemnity insurance offered to osteopaths in Australia also covers osteos for house calls, or any consultation that is considered part of their ordinary practise, regardless of location.
Retroactive cover for osteopaths
Like most professional indemnity insurance packages, osteopaths are offered retroactive cover, which means that if a claim is made against a practitioner some time after the incident took place, and the osteopath is no longer practising, the indemnity insurance policy they held at that time will still cover them.
What professional indemnity covers
Professional indemnity insurance covers malpractice suits, legal expenses and cover for goods and advice on goods sold. The limit of liability depends on the policy taken out by the practitioner but ranges from $5 million up to $20 million. Organisations such as Guild Insurance keep regular track of payouts within the courts, so that limits to liability reflect real-world scenarios.
Independent advice for osteopaths
The AOA should be the first stop for all osteopaths looking for advice about their professional indemnity insurance, as the Association is up to date on all the regulations and requirements. There are also online resources at Chiro And Osteo where osteopaths can also connect with other practitioners. (It can be helpful at times to ask professional colleagues for their views and related information.)
