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P.O. Box 210738,
Columbia, SC 29221-0738
Phone: (803) 896-5290
scpcf@pcf.sc.gov

 
Underwriting

The Board of Governors of the South Carolina Patients' Compensation Fund approved new limits of coverage for healthcare providers at their June 11, 2003 meeting. The new limits will go into effect on July 1, 2003. The alternative limits as follows:
 
New Alternative Limits
$1,000,000 per claim/ $3,000,000 annual aggregate
$3,000,000 per claim/ $6,000,000 annual aggregate
$5,000,000 per claim/ $7,000,000 annual aggregate
$10,000,000 per claim/ $12,000,000 annual aggregate
Unlimited

*All PCF limits are inclusive of underlying coverages of a minimum of $200,000 per claim/$600,000 annual aggregate.

Membership fees vary by specialty. Quotes are available by calling our Columbia office at 803-896-5290. A 10 year claims history is required for all new membership applications. An applicant may obtain loss information through the National Practitioner Data Bank at 1-800-767-6732. Their web site is www.npdb-hipdb.com. The PCF does experience rate based on settled claims.
Policies are written on a one year term, except where the applicant has requested and qualified for a short-term policy.

Eligibility Rules

  • Healthcare providers who live in South Carolina and practice 100% in the state are eligible.
  • Healthcare providers who live in South Carolina but practice 100% OUTSIDE the state are NOT eligible.
  • Healthcare providers who live out of state but practice at least 80% within South Carolina are eligible.
  • Healthcare providers who live in South Carolina and practice at least 80% in the state are eligible.
Part-time Physician Rates:
The PCF will permit a discount for the following part time physicians and dentists:
  • Retired non-practicing physicians or dentists donating time to charitable or non-profit organizations (i.e. Free Clinic)
  • Emergency medicine residents moonlighting at rural or small community emergency room departments
  • Part time and/or semi-retired physicians or dentists who are working no more than eighty-five hours per month
  • Part-time physicians or dentists include military physicians and dentists who are working part-time in the civilian community and government physicians working outside the governmental facility
Credits provided by the PCF are:
  • 50% credit for up to 21 hours per month
  • 40% credit for 22-43 hours per month
  • 30% credit for 44-85 hours per month
  • 0% credit for over 85 hours per month

Conditions:

  • A Part Time Physician/Dentist Professional Liability Application must be completed by the applicant every year for the purposes of determining whether the applicant is eligible for this type of coverage.
  • The hours reported to the PCF for rating purposes are subject to audit, at the PCF’s discretion.
  • No other credits apply concurrent with this rule except for Risk Management discounts.
  • Physicians or dentists who are subject to experience rating surcharges are not eligible for this part time discount.
Premium Payment

It is important that the remittance include the policy number and the name of the insured so that payment can be applied correctly. Premium is due on or before the renewal date of the policy. If payment is received by the PCF more than 30 days after the policy has expired, there will be a lapse in coverage and the policy will have to be rewritten.

Risk Management Discount for First Year Physicians and Dentists

A new physician or dentist who attends the Risk Management Seminar presented by the SCMA or SCDA and sponsored by the JUA during his or her first year of practice will receive the following discount:

25% subject to a maximum discount of $2,000 for the first year.

This discount will be in the form of a return premium credit endorsement that will be issued by the PCF upon receipt of confirmation from the SCMA or SCDA that the physician/dentist attended the Risk Management Seminar. Discount does not apply to a professional association policy.

Seminars are offered each year. Please contact the South Carolina Medical Association 1-800-327-1021 to register for the May or October seminar.
Please contact the South Carolina Dental Association 1-800-327-2598 to register for the April seminar.

Cancellation

The membership may be cancelled at any time upon written request of the member 30 days prior to the anticipated cancellation date, except as noted below. Cancellations may also become effective if a contract has been signed by the member to his employer or if one of the following applies:

Moved out of state
Deceased
Retirement
No basic coverage in effect

A refund of the unused membership fees shall be processed from the date of the cancellation to the member’s renewal date. Forfeit of 30 days of membership fee refund will result with the failure of the required 30 days notice of cancellation.
 

 

 2005 © South Carolina Patients' Compensation Fund