Hiscox launches new policy for mental health professionals

Hiscox has announced new coverages in its specialized insurance policy for mental health businesses in the US.

The policy, Hiscox PRO® Outpatient Mental Healthcare Professional Liability, offers a wide range of specialized benefits for mental health professionals. It can be combined with other insurance products, such as general liability, technology E&O, as well as crime and privacy.

“Mental health treatment options, such as remote therapy and telehealth, are rapidly expanding in the US,” said Hiscox US vice-president and Allied Healthcare product head Alicia Marsiglia. “As a result, we considered the unique exposures of the latest treatments and offerings in this space and designed a policy that provides greater coverage for companies on the cutting edge of this evolving industry.”

Coverage will apply to claims related to a variety of treatment options, such as:

• Outpatient mental healthcare
• Behavioral therapy
• Substance abuse counseling
• Medication management
• Partial hospitalization or intensive outpatient programs
• Remote therapy (teletherapy)

Additionally, medical directors, non-physician employees, independent contractors, students, volunteers (including mid-level providers) and employed or contracted physicians by endorsement are also included as insureds. They will receive benefits such as:

• Waiver of retention available for outpatient mental healthcare practices following exemplary risk management standards
• Billing and regulatory errors sublimit
• Sexual abuse and misconduct sublimit
• HIPAA liability sublimit
• Reported incident trigger of coverage
• Affirmative coverage for remote therapy services
• Duty to defend