Owning your own practice comes with risk and that’s why the AAO-Endorsed Insurance Program, administered by Lockton Affinity, offers coverage to help protect your practice, including:

Should an incident occur at your practice that may turn into a claim, it is important to report them to your insurance partner. These incidents may include:

  • A patient trips on a rug and sprains their wrist.
  • A former employee is upset about their termination.
  • An employee has a pinched nerve and may need surgery.

If a similar incident occurs at your practice, avoid the stress. With guidance and support from Lockton Affinity, you can easily file a claim as a practice owner and get back to your work.

 

Determining When to File a Claim as a Practice Owner

If an incident occurs, it is important to keep the best claim-reporting practices in mind.

  1. Report the incident

It can be difficult to gauge which incidents will amount to nothing and which will lead to a costly settlement. This is why it is often best to err on the side of caution and report every incident to your claim specialist.

Ask yourself: Does the situation have the potential to escalate into a claim? Was there a mistake made or did an injury occur?

  1. File promptly

Prompt claim reporting leads to better outcomes for you and your practice. You may be able to settle the claim sooner, without the other party hiring a lawyer. Memories will be fresh, and evidence will be available to help your case. In short, prompt reporting:

  • Saves time and money
  • Better protects your practice
  • Reduces worry and stress

Ask yourself: Will I remember the details of this incident weeks or months from now if I do not report it now?

  1. Compile necessary information

The more thorough the information you compile from the start, the easier it will be to settle your claim efficiently. Collect this information before you file:

  • Copies of patient-related records, incident reports, witness reports, photographs, videos and other documentation
  • Your insurance policy number
  • Contact information for yourself
  • Contact information for any involved parties and claimants

Ask yourself: Could this information be helpful in settling the claim?

 

Filing a Claim as a Practice Owner

Depending on the incident, different coverage will apply. Contact the Lockton Affinity team to be directed to the carrier of your coverage.

While you will work directly with the insurance carrier to file your claim, Lockton Affinity will support you along the way. For example, it typically takes 24–48 hours to hear back from the claims adjuster. If you have not heard back after 48 hours, we can help expedite the process.

The appropriate party will receive payment once the claim is settled.

 

Claim Support from Lockton Affinity

Lockton Affinity is available to answer your questions and help you with any part of the process—we are your advocate!

If you have questions about how to file a claim, contact Lockton Affinity at (844) 893-9888 or [email protected].