CRNA Defined
A CRNA is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. They are medical professionals who have completed a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree and have current Registered Nurse credentials. A nurse who wishes to obtain the CRNA designation must have a minimum of 12 months of acute care experience in a hospital’s intensive care unit or an emergency room setting.
They must also complete a Master’s degree in Nurse Anesthesia, which includes clinical training in a hospital setting. The final step in obtaining a CRNA designation is to pass a national licensing exam.
Malpractice Insurance for Healthcare Providers
Most physicians and other healthcare providers carry malpractice insurance. They may choose to buy the coverage themselves, or they may be covered under a hospital policy that protects the institution as well as its staff members. For example, when healthcare providers are employees of the federal government, any malpractice claims are made against the government itself. Doctors and other healthcare professionals don’t buy malpractice insurance in that case.
Companies offering malpractice insurance coverage don’t set rates in the same way that car insurance companies do; the level of experience that a provider has doesn’t play a large part in what the premium level will be. Instead, a medical malpractice provider considers the following;
- Level of payouts it expects for the medical specialty in question
- Level of uncertainty surrounding the estimate
- Anticipated administration costs
- Estimated investment income
- Profit rate the company wants to achieve
Rates for malpractice insurance also depend on the geographic location where the applicant is or will be practicing.
About CRNA Malpractice Insurance in Texas
A CRNA who is looking for malpractice insurance coverage should consider products from a number of providers before making a final decision. Rates and policy provisions can vary between companies, so it’s important to shop around to avoid paying too much for this important coverage. A person looking for CRNA malpractice insurance in Texas should also investigate the companies they are considering to ensure that they are well-established and can pay out on a claim if the patient is successful in showing that malpractice occurred.
- The Texas Liability company offers malpractice to CRNAs, and has the distinction of being founded by a person in the profession. The company can structure an individual policy that reflects the number of hours the CRNA works. If the applicant is employed by a hospital or clinic, but also doing some work on the side, he or she can arrange liability coverage through this company.
- CLS works on behalf of healthcare professionals in a different way. It is an agency that can arrange insurance coverage from all major providers. A CRNA who doesn’t have the time or who simply wants the convenience of having someone else shop the market may want to consider this company. Visitors to the company web site can get instant quotes to find out how much they will need to pay for their insurance coverage.
- Members of the Texas Association of Nurse Anesthetists (TXANA) or any other professional organization should find out if there is a certain company the association endorses as well as if reduced-cost policies are available to members.
CRNAs can look to these options when they want to arrange malpractice insurance coverage as a new graduate or if they are interested in finding individual coverage. Healthcare professionals who are considering a move to Texas will want to explore their coverage options before starting to work there as well.