Medical Liability Self-Insurance Plan Summary

On September 1, 1985, the Texas Tech University System Medical Liability Self-Insurance Plan (the Plan) became effective pursuant to the  authority granted to the Board of Regents by V.T.C.A., Education Code §59.02. The Plan provides medical malpractice liability insurance for certain medical staff, residents, and medical students of Texas Tech University System components.

The Plan places responsibilities upon each participant.  Each individual must be committed to a heightened awareness of potential claims. The individual participant must also be aware of the conditions of the Plan, as outlined in this brochure, so as not to jeopardize coverage in the event of a claim or lawsuit. The following is a general description of eligibility, covered incidents, and limits of coverage. Such matters are specifically set forth in the Plan.

Eligibility in the Plan is available to physicians, dentists, veterinarians, podiatrists, physician assistants, nurses, pharmacists and other health care professionals who are duly licensed and registered to practice their profession in the State of Texas and who are (1) employed by a TTU System institution, or (2) participating as a medical student, intern, resident, or fellow in a patient-care program of a System institution. Any person who is insured by the Plan may not be employed by or serve in an administrative capacity of the Plan.  Eligible individuals will be enrolled upon approval of the Office of General Counsel (OGC).

Participants in the Plan will be provided coverage only for covered activity and healthcare liability claims arising from the exercise of the participant’s employment, assigned duties, or training with a System institution performed in the practice of the participant’s profession including service by the participant as a member of a formal accreditation or similar professional board or committee of a hospital or a professional society. Students will be provided coverage only for health care liability claims arising from the student’s participation in patient care programs of a System school under the supervision of a faculty member or participation in a program specifically approved by the Dean. The Plan does not cover moonlighting.

A covered activity or healthcare liability claim against a participant in the Plan is a cause of action for treatment, lack of treatment, or other claimed departure from accepted standards of medical or health care or safety care that proximately results in injury to or death of a patient.  However, a covered activity shall not include any cause of action or claim arising out of: (1) any illegal, fraudulent or malicious act; (2) any assumption of liability or indemnity obligation by participant under a contract or agreement; or (3) any allegations of misconduct including sexual misconduct, assault, terroristic threats or injury caused while under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances or excessive therapeutic drugs.

An incident is any event not consistent with the routine operation of the hospital or clinic, or the routine care of a particular patient. The following types of incidents should be reported:

A.     Any errors involving medication prescription, dosage, or administration;

B.     Any slip or fall of a patient which causes or could cause pain or injury which may be the result of restraints or of limited ambulatory privileges;

C.     Any malfunction, nonfunction, or use of equipment on a patient whether in diagnosis, comfort, or treatment of a patient or for use in X-ray, surgical, or emergency units which causes injury, illness, or extends or complicates the course of the current illness;

D.    Unfavorable events involving the administration of blood or blood components;

E.     Unusual or infrequent adverse effects of any diagnostic procedure;

F.     Any unanticipated or unusual patient, physician, surgical, anesthetic, or nursing difficulties encountered during surgery or treatment;

G.    Any diagnosis preceding or following full examination of a patient which results in delay of proper treatment, prolongation of illness, or complicating the course of a current illness;

H.    Any incidents involving the hospital or other health care personnel who are under the direction and control of a TTUHSC physician at the time of the incident;

I.       Any complication arising in the course of medical diagnosis or treatment which is not usually anticipated and is not the result of the illness, despite proper care and treatment;

J.      Questions involving informed consent including reasonable disclosure of risks attendant to any diagnostic, medical or surgical procedure or treatment;

K.     Issues involving advising a patient of the necessity for follow-up care or of the necessity to take precautions in self-care after discharge and release from the physician’s care; and

L.      Any complaint or rumor of complaint of the care or treatment made by patient, the family or a friend.

Call the appropriate Claims Management Office or the Office of General Counsel / Professional Liability Division (OGC/PLD).

OGC/PLD:  806.743.9921

Claims Management Office:
Lubbock:  806.743.9921
Amarillo: 806.743.9921
El Paso: 915.215.4435
Odessa: 432.335.5151

1.       Whenever the participant is served with legal process, notice of claim, citation, demand for inspection or production of records, licensing board notices or correspondence concerning a patient, etc., regarding an alleged incident, the following steps MUST BE TAKEN IMMEDIATELY:

A.     Advise the OGC/PLD. Call (806) 743-9921.

B.     Provide all legal papers to the Claims Manager at your campus. The Claims Manager will forward all documents to the OGC/PLD.

C.     Refer all inquiries by the patient or their attorney to:   

Office of General Counsel/Professional Liability Division   
3601 4th Street, Mail Stop 6237                                   
Lubbock, TX 79430
Tel: (806) 743-9921
Email: malpracticeverfication@ttuhsc.edu  

 2.       If the participant is no longer a member of the TTUHSC staff, training program or school, but is served with legal process, notice of claim, citation, demand for inspection/production of records or correspondence concerning a patient, etc., regarding an alleged incident which occurred while the participant was covered under the Plan, the participant must send such process, notice of claim or other legal document to the OGC/PLD as soon as practicable, along with the date of service. 

 3.       In the event of an incident of serious nature exposing the participant to possible liability or whenever a claim is received or a suit is filed, the participant, upon request of the OGC/PLD, will provide complete information and meet with the attorneys / claims manager to discuss the claim.

This occurrence coverage is for events arising on or after September 1, 1985. Coverage for individual participants begins on their date of enrollment and acceptance of participant’s enrollment by the Office of General Counsel Professional Liability Division.  Coverage ceases the date the participants’ employment with a TTUS Institution  is terminated or enrollment in a TTUS School ends. The following coverages apply unless lower liability limits are set by law, in which case the lower limits set by law shall apply:

Category	Occurrence Coverage
	Per Claim	Aggregate per Participant
Staff Physicians	$400,000	$1,200,000
Other Licensed Healthcare Professionals  Including Dentists	$200,000	$600,000
Residents, Interns or Fellows	$100,000	$300,000
Students	$25,000	$75,000

 

Texas Medical, Dental, Nursing or other Licensing Board Disciplinary Actions Coverage for covered activity limited to $25,000 per proceeding for legal representation and up to $35,000 for investigations that proceed to a hearing or beyond.

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This brochure explains your medical liability indemnity plan in general and is to assist you in reporting incidents or claims that may arise. It is intended only for your immediate information. The protection which has been afforded you by the Plan is subject to the particulars, terms, conditions and limitations of the approved plan and the interpretations of the Plan by the Board of Regents of Texas Tech University System.

All questions pertaining to your participation in the Plan should be directed to:

Office of General Counsel / Professional Liability Division
3601 4th Street, Mail Stop 6237
Lubbock, TX 79430
Tel: 806.743.9921 or malpracticeverification@ttuhsc.edu

Send credentialing/claims history requests to:  malpracticeverification@ttuhsc.edu

 

1. Good rapport and communication with patients and their families are essential to the prevention of claims.
2. There is no substitute for adequate documentation in the medical record of care and treatment and of the patient’s response. Good documentation decreases the risk of frivolous claims and is vital in the defense of a claim which is filed.
3. The participant should maintain complete and accurate notes and history of each patient’s case. If the participant knows that a patient has failed to follow instructions, the medical record should reflect the noncompliance. When the attending participant(s) goes out of town, or departs the service, it is imperative to have this recorded.
4. The participant should refrain from over-optimistic prognoses; he should avoid promising too much to the patient.
5. The participant should avoid patient diagnoses over the telephone or in casual encounters. All oral instructions should be recorded in the patient’s medical record.
6. The participant should maintain confidentiality regarding all patient care issues and comply with HIPAA.
7. Informed consent is an absolute essential in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
8. The participant should avoid any statement or innuendo which might constitute, or be construed as, a suggestion of negligence by himself, other participants or employees.
9. The participant should not tell the patient or the patient’s attorney that he has Professional Liability Insurance or that he is a participant in the Plan. All inquiries should be referred to the OGC/PLD.
10. Extreme care should be exercised in discussing an incident with a patient, and under no circumstances should an incident be discussed with the patient’s attorney without prior approval of the OGC/PLD.
11. All claim inquiries should be referred to the OGC/PLD and not discussed with the patient or his attorney.
12. Any request for medical information must be accompanied by a letter of authorization from the patient before release of the records can be made, and then this must be done via institutional channels.
13. Each participant must participate fully in the prevention of litigation by :

EXAMPLE, EDUCATION, and COOPERATION.