The Medical Protection Society (MPS) and Medical Indemnity Protection Society (MIPS) have an arrangement for MPS members seeking medical indemnity cover whilst undertaking employer indemnified practice* in Australia.
To be eligible for cover under the reciprocal arrangement you are required to be a current MPS member and maintain your membership whilst you practice in Australia.
The maximum period you can be covered under the reciprocal arrangement is two years from the date you first commenced practice in Australia (ie retroactive cover date) and will also include any membership period remaining until 30 June. This applies regardless of any break in continuity of practice in Australia.
Your MIPS membership fee will be paid by the MPS. You will need to contact the MPS directly regarding their membership fees.
To apply for reciprocal cover you will need to contact MPS and complete the MIPS Membership Application
Employer indemnified practice refers to practice where your employer has agreed to indemnify you (to meet your AHPRA registration indemnity requirements) for any civil claims as a result of your acts, errors and omissions in carrying out your duties. This type of practice is usually undertaken in a public hospital setting however you may also be indemnified by your employer in a private setting. For further information regarding the cover and assistance provided refer to the Member Handbook.
At the time of application, MPS will provide MIPS with the date you expect to finish your placement. To extend your cover beyond this date, update your contact details or practice location, email info@mips.com.au or call 1800 061 113.
Cover under the reciprocal arrangement will not extend to any practice not indemnified by your employer such as surgical assisting , after hours deputising services or volunteer (gratuitous) services. To update your membership details to include cover for non-employer indemnified (private) practice, email info@mips.com.au or call 1800 061 113.
It is important to note that as a consequence of amending your membership details to include cover for private or volunteer services, you will no longer be eligible for reciprocal cover and when you cease practice in Australia you will not be eligible for run off cover offered at no cost under this arrangement.
You should also contact MPS to advise them you are no longer being covered under the reciprocal arrangement.
Medical indemnity insurance in Australia is provided on a claims-made basis. This approach is different to some other countries, such as the UK, where cover is generally provided on a claims-incurred basis. Under a claims-made policy, you are only covered if you are a member at the time the claim is made against you and reported to MIPS.
When you finish your placement in Australia, MIPS will request you update your details to run off cover which is offered at no cost under the reciprocal arrangement. You can notify MIPS you have ceased practice in Australia and update your details to run off cover by completing the Ceasing Practice in Australia form
You should also contact MPS to advise them you are returning to practice in your country of origin and ensure your indemnity arrangements are current.
Please note, if you do not complete the form to update your details to run off cover, your MIPS membership will lapse 30 June. If your MIPS membership lapses, your benefits of membership (including insurance cover) cease and you are no longer covered for any new incidents or claims that are notified to MIPS even if those events occurred while you were a member of MIPS.
