Q: Am I able to make my payment with a credit card?

Yes.  Please go to PCF Members to activate your account or Apply Online if you are interested in joining the PCF.

Q: Do I need to have the JUA or other coverage in place prior to forwarding the necessary documentation to the PCF?

No, just include the known pertinent information on the Certificate of Membership.

Q: How much coverage do I need?

This is a decision to be made by the member. Please keep in mind type of specialty, risk, past claims. We would suggest you consult with your general counsel or your agent.

Q: What products does the PCF offer?

The PCF offers a wide range of products to meet your needs. These products include varying limits of liability up to unlimited. Part time discounts, free locum tenens for approved substituting physicians, coverage for professional associations, clinics and hospitals.

Q: What is experience rating?

Experience rating is designed to identify and surcharge those individual policy holders whose claim experience is significantly more adverse than contemplated in the base rates. Chargeable losses paid for the purposes of this plan shall include all settled claims with indemnity payments during the past 10 year period ending three months prior to the policy renewal date. Allocated loss adjustment expenses are to be included in determining the chargeable loss value only if an indemnity payment was paid.

Q: How will a claim affect my rates?

The member will be surcharged for claims experience based on the number of claims and the total amount paid. This varies based on the severity of the claims.

Q: What is the difference between claims made and occurrence coverage?

Click here to see the difference.

Q: Do I need to give notice of my desire to cancel my coverage?

Yes, we require 30 days written notification. We will prorate your fees and refund the unused portion. Forfeit of 30 days of membership fee refund will result with the failure of the required 30 days notice of cancellation.

Q: If I am temporarily disabled and no longer seeing patients do I need to continue my coverage with the PCF?

No. Send us a request to cancel your policy. We need thirty days written notification in order to put your policy on inactive status. You will be refunded the unused portion of your membership fee. When you are able to return to duty we will need another Certificate of Membership along with the required fees.

Q: If I am on active duty with the military do I need to continue my coverage with the PCF?

No. Send us a request to cancel your policy. You will be refunded the unused portion of your membership fee. When you are able to return we will need another Certificate of Membership along with the required fees.

Q: If I am on maternity leave and no longer seeing patients do I need to continue my coverage with the PCF?

No. Send us a request to cancel your policy. We need thirty days written notification in order to put your policy on inactive status. You will be refunded the unused portion of your membership fee. When you are able to return to duty we will need another Certificate of Membership along with the required fees.

Q: Do I need to purchase tail coverage if I leave the Patients' Compensation Fund?

If your coverage is occurrence based, you will not need to purchase tail coverage.

If your coverage is claims made based, yes you will need to purchase tail coverage unless the new carrier is offering prior acts coverage.