Risk ManagementTo: All Churches in the Florida Annual Conference From: Risk Management Subject: Parish Nurse Liability Coverage Date: December 10, 2001 Risk Management recently became aware of the active Parish Nurse program operating within churches in our Conference. We now know the names of approximately 100 practicing Parish Nurses that are serving their congregations. Some Parish Nurses are Church staff members; others are volunteers. We applaud their efforts to provide their services to Church members in need. IMPORTANT: The Conference-wide liability insurance policy contains a specific exclusion for registered nurses who provide medical assistance on behalf of their Churches. This exclusion is standard for commercial liability policies and creates a requirement for Parish Nurses to carry their own personal medical malpractice insurance. The cost of medical malpractice insurance for Parish Nurses is approximately $100/year. Insurance companies offering the coverage include:
Please confirm that Parish Nurses in your Church are aware of the Conference-wide liability exclusion. Please make the above company list available to them and strongly recommend that personal malpractice insurance coverage be acquired. Advise that a $1 million/occurrence policy should be purchased. NOTE: Non-coverage creates a serious liability gap that needs to be closed for the protection of Parish Nurses and the Conference. |