Medical personnel are most at risk for administrative and disciplinary matters resulting from an allegation of negligent performance of duties followed by alleged medical malpractice, ethical violations, professional misconduct and abuse of authority. Anyone can make an allegation leading to an OIG, OPR, OSC, OMLA, Internal Affairs, Congressional, Agency or State Medical Board investigation including:
- Patients;
- Special Interest Groups and Industries;
- Politically Motivated Elected Officials;
- Members of the Public; or
- Co-workers, Subordinates, or Agency Managers.
If you are a manager or supervisor, your policy also covers employee allegations of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, and whistleblower reprisal.
Administrative & Disciplinary Matters
For administrative matters, your FEDS policy will pay for legal defense (up to $200,000) to defend the allegations prepare you for the agency administrative or investigation process, attend the investigative interview with you, and defend you in any resulting disciplinary action at both the agency level and at the MSPB. The FEDS policy would also defend you in a state medical board investigation and proceeding arising out of the performance of your federal job duties.
Civil Suits
With regards to civil exposure, under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), federal physicians, psychologists and other medical personnel have financial protection from most common malpractice lawsuits. The FTCA does not, however, provide immunity for personal capacity lawsuits or constitutional torts - this means that federal medical personnel can be vulnerable to some types of civil actions / commonly referred to as a Biven's actions for alleged violations of an individual's constitutional rights.
If you are sued as a result of your federal job duties, your FEDS policy will provide you with an attorney to defend you in the civil action. Also, if there were a civil monetary judgment issued against you, your FEDS policy would pay up to $1,000,000 ($2,000,000 or $3,000,000 depending on the policy you choose) of the judgment in the event that the U.S. Government declines to indemnify you.
Criminal Investigations
If you are the subject of a criminal investigation, FEDS will pay for legal defense up to $100,000. The most common investigations are due to alleged ethics violations,professional misconduct and negligent performance of duties.
It is important to note that the FEDS program will NOT seek to recover defense fees, claim expenses or monetary penalties for a criminal proceeding, regardless of the outcome. We at FEDS believe that it defeats the very purpose of the insurance if you’re held financially liable if we provide a covered defense and you lose.
FEDS continually works with the Federal Physicians Association (FPA) and other federal employee communities, professional organizations and associations to ensure that we provide the protection federal physicians and other medical personnel need to do their jobs.
Enrollment takes less than 5 minutes.
FEDS Protection is Affordable:
$1,000,000 Policy: $290*
$2,000,000 Policy: $390*
$3,000,000 Policy: $490*
* Plus applicable taxes and administrative fees
Payroll deduction is available, starting at $12 per pay period.
Physicians classified as managers or supervisors are eligible for agency reimbursement of up to 50% of the PLI premium cost.
Have questions? Call us at 866.955.FEDS.
Please see the Master Policy for complete policy terms and conditions.