The Florida Board of Governors (FBOG), pursuant to Section 1004.24, Florida Statutes, created self-insurance programs to provide comprehensive general liability protection, including professional liability protection, for the universities Board of Trustees (BOT), employees and agents of the BOT, and affiliated not-for-profit corporations. The primary mission of these self-insurance programs is to respond to claims and provide loss prevention and patient safety assistance to BOT health science centers and colleges of medicine. Currently, there are FBOG self-insurance programs at the University of Florida (the University of Florida J. Hillis Miller Health Center Self-Insurance Program), University of South Florida (the USF Health Sciences Center Self-Insurance Program), Florida State University (FSU College of Medicine Self-Insurance Program), University of Central Florida (UCF College of Medicine Self-Insurance Program), Florida International University (FIU College of Medicine Self-Insurance Program), and Florida Atlantic University (FAU College of Medicine Self-Insurance Program). The FBOG authorization for these programs is found in FBOG Regulation 10.001.
The State of Florida has sovereign immunity codified by Florida law. Section 13 of Article X of the Florida Constitution authorizes the state legislature to enact laws permitting claims and lawsuits to be brought against the state. The provisions of Section 768.28, Florida Statutes, set forth the specific conditions limiting the extent to which the state waives sovereign immunity in tort actions, including medical negligence claims and litigation. This statute permits the state to waive sovereign immunity, to a limited extent, when personal injury or death was caused by the “negligent or wrongful act or omission” of any employee of the state, state agency, or state subdivision while the employee or agent was “acting within the scope of the employee’s office or employment.” The statute provides that the state, for itself and for its “agencies and subdivisions,” waives sovereign immunity for liability for torts, but only to the extent specified in this statute. The statutory reference to “agencies and subdivisions” includes independent establishments of the state, such as state university Boards of Trustees. Accordingly, when an employee of a state university negligently causes personal injury, sovereign immunity is waived, subject to limitations, and the injured party may assert a claim or file a lawsuit against a state university Board of Trustees.
Within the ambit of sovereign immunity, Florida law affords immunity from personal liability for healthcare providers when their care and treatment of patients becomes the subject of a claim or lawsuit, provided certain criteria are met. Specifically, healthcare providers will not be held personally liable for medical negligence, if the negligent act or omission occurred while the healthcare provider was acting within the scope of the provider’s employment. In practical terms, this means that when a healthcare provider is performing duties within the scope of the provider’s employment, and the provider’s care is alleged in a claim or lawsuit to have been negligent, the provider will not be held responsible personally for any monetary damages that might result from the claim or lawsuit. The State of Florida and, in particular, a state university Board of Trustees are, as a matter of law, the proper defendants in any claim or lawsuit alleging medical negligence on the part of a healthcare provider. The practical application of these statutory provisions is illustrated in the Question-and-Answer section below.
Section 768.28, Florida Statutes, not only relieves healthcare providers of personal liability for negligent acts or omissions occurring within the scope of their duties, the statute also limits the amount of money payable by the state to those injured as a result of such negligence. The amount of monetary damages payable by the Board of Trustees to a successful claimant is limited to $200,000 per claimant, and the aggregate that may be paid on any occurrence, regardless of the number of claimants, is limited to $300,000. In order for the claimants to recover damages in excess of these statutory limits, they would need to pursue a claims bill in the Florida Legislature. The Florida Legislature can award recompense without monetary limits, which must be paid by the Board of Trustees.
A state university board of trustees (BOT) healthcare provider performing university assigned duties is named individually as a defendant in a Notice of Intent to initiate litigation for medical negligence. How can this happen if Florida law prohibits state actors from being named defendants in claims and suits?
Answer: The most common reason for this occurrence is simply unfamiliarity on the part of the claimant’s attorney concerning the status of the BOT healthcare provider. Florida law requires that, before a claimant may legally file a medical negligence lawsuit, the claimant (normally through the claimant’s attorney) must conduct a good faith investigation of the facts giving rise to the claim. After the investigation, notice of the claim must be sent to the healthcare provider that is alleged to have been negligent. The claim package sent to the provider is called a “Notice of Intent to Initiate Litigation for Medical Negligence” (NOI). When a BOT healthcare provider receives a NOI, he/she should forward it to their Self-Insurance Program (SIP) for action. SIP will investigate the claim, respond to the matters alleged in the NOI, and inform the claimant’s attorney of the BOT healthcare provider’s immune status. The claimant’s attorney will also be advised that Florida law prohibits the naming of the BOT healthcare provider as a defendant in any lawsuit that may be pursued and that SIP can pursue legal sanctions against the claimant if the provider is specifically named as a defendant in future proceedings. If the claimant’s attorney ignores this admonition and files the suit naming a BOT healthcare provider as a defendant, motions will be filed with the court to remove the name of the BOT healthcare provider as a defendant and to substitute the Board of Trustees as the proper defendant.
Are resident physicians and physician extenders covered by the Florida sovereign immunity statute?
Answer: Yes. As is the case with all other state employees or agents, all residents and physician extenders, acting within the scope of their state university function, are afforded immunity and are not subject to personal liability for their negligent acts or omissions that cause injury to a patient.
Are resident physicians with appointments at the VA immune from personal liability?
Answer: Yes. Courts have accepted that residency physicians with appointments from the VA under 38 U.S.C 7405 or 7406, while acting within the course and scope of their appointment, are personally immune from suit and covered by the Federal Tort Claims Act.
Are state university board of trustees (BOT) healthcare providers (e.g., faculty, residents, etc.) assigned to private hospitals or clinics through an affiliation agreement immune from personal liability?
Answer: Yes. BOT healthcare providers assigned to a private hospital or clinic, while acting within the scope of their state university function, are afforded immunity and are not subject to personal liability for their negligent acts or omissions that cause injury to a patient. This protection does not extend to the private hospital/clinic preceptor; these private individuals and entities best protect themselves from allegations of apparent agency by ensuring that patients receive and sign a Notice of Limited Liability, pursuant to Section 1012.965, Florida Statutes.
Are there any circumstances in which the conduct of a state university board of trustees (BOT) healthcare provider might result in the loss of immunity from personal liability?
Answer: Yes. The more common occasions where immunity is lost include: (a) committing an intentionally tortious or criminal act; (b) committing medical negligence during a time when the provider is not performing duties within the scope of employment; and (c) acting in bad faith, with malicious purpose, or in a manner exhibiting wanton and willful disregard of human rights, safety, or property. Providers who commit intentional acts of misconduct, such as sexual assault, battery, and defamation of character, are not immune from personal liability. Some providers engage in patient care outside of their duties with the state university. Although these providers are required to seek permission from their state university prior to accepting employment outside of the scope of their state university employment, they are not immune from personal liability for any negligence on their part that occurs during the course and scope of outside employment. The mere fact that the state university has granted permission to the provider to engage in outside employment does not afford the provider immunity for negligent acts when engaging in those activities.
Are state university board of trustees (BOT) healthcare providers covered by the Self-Insurance Program (SIP) when participating in activities or employment outside of the course and scope of their state university employment?
Answer: It depends. When participating in outside employment and activities, you are doing so in your capacity as a private citizen and not as an employee of a state university. As such, you will NOT have SIP coverage/protections extended to you. Note: Your participation in outside employment and activities must conform to the applicable Regulations and Guidelines of your state university and college.
When participating in non-paid community service activities, and provided you are not entitled to coverage by the organization in which you are volunteering (e.g., state volunteer coverage and protections), state university BOT healthcare providers may request pre-approval for Community Service coverage through the SIP if the activity furthers the mission of the state university. The pre-approval request form can be found on your university’s Coverage Forms page found under the Protections and Verifications section of the SIP website.
When private physicians are educating, training, and supervising the clinical services performed by state university board of trustees (BOT) fellows, residents, and students, are private physicians covered by the Florida sovereign immunity statute for alleged negligent acts or omissions of those BOT fellows, residents, and students?
Answer: Yes, if alleged to be responsible for negligence of BOT fellows, residents, or students. When educating, training, and supervising the clinical services performed by BOT fellows, residents, and/or students, private physicians have a limited personal immunity as set forth in Section 768.28(9), Florida Statutes, from claims of vicarious liability arising from alleged negligent acts or omissions of the BOT fellows, residents, and students. The exclusive remedy for alleged negligent acts or omissions of BOT fellows, residents, and students is an action against the BOT.
NOTE: Patient care personally provided by private physicians does NOT trigger the limited immunity of Section 768.28(9), Florida Statutes. A private physician is solely responsible for the patient care she/he provides and must individually satisfy Florida’s professional liability financial responsibility requirements applicable to physicians.
A physician is appointed to a state university BOT faculty as an attending physician and clinical professor. Prior to the appointment, the physician was a member of a private practice professional association. While serving in the position at the state university, the physician receives an NOI alleging medical negligence in treating a patient while in private practice. Does the fact that the physician was an employee at the time the NOI was received afford immunity from personal liability for any medical negligence that occurred in the former private practice?
Answer: No. The physician is provided immunity only for those acts or omissions occurring during the course and scope of employment with the state university. There is no immunity from personal liability for acts or omissions occurring at times and under circumstances when the physician was not acting within the scope of employment with the state university, even though the NOI was received during employment by the state university.
A university board of trustees (BOT) healthcare provider terminates his/her relationship with the state university. One year later, an NOI is received alleging medical negligence for delay in diagnosis and treatment of a patient examined and treated while acting within the scope of duties at the state university. Is the former university board of trustees (BOT) healthcare provider immune from personal liability for the claim of medical negligence involving this patient?
Answer: Yes. The former BOT healthcare provider is immune from personal liability with respect to any medical negligence claim based upon incidents that occurred at any time that the BOT healthcare provider was acting within the scope of assigned duties with the state university, even if the NOI was received after the termination of the relationship with the state.
Is it true that if a state university healthcare provider is afforded sovereign immunity, he or she will not be subject to any consequences if a claim or lawsuit alleging medical negligence on the part of the provider is resolved in favor of the claimant?
Answer: No. Your actions may be reviewed by your state licensing board and adverse administrative action may be taken. Also, if a payment is made in resolution of the claim, you may also be reported to a state and/or national data bank including, but not limited to, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation.
Are there any unique situations that have not been covered that might affect the immune status of a state university healthcare provider?
Answer: Yes. Florida and other states have “Good Samaritan” statutes that provide limited immunity to physicians and other healthcare providers who respond to medical emergencies. There are also unique immunity issues that arise when a healthcare provider, acting within the scope of his or her state university employment, performs pre-approved activities outside the State of Florida.
Does the sovereign immunity afforded to state universities boards of trustees extend to university direct-support organizations (DSO) or other instrumentalities of the state?
Answer: Yes. As recently as March 2015, the Florida Supreme Court reinforced that sovereign immunity extends to organizations closely related to state universities in a case involving a state university athletic association. The Court cited the definition of “state agencies and subdivisions” entitled to sovereign immunity to include, among others: independent establishments of the state, including state university boards of trustees, and corporations primarily acting as instrumentalities or agencies of the state.
Universities are constitutionally-created state agencies or subdivisions of the state entitled to limited sovereign immunity. Additionally, corporations primarily acting as instrumentalities of independent establishments of the state are included within the definition of “state agencies or subdivisions.” Therefore, if an organization is primarily acting as an instrumentality of a state university, it is a state agency or subdivision entitled to limited sovereign immunity.
Organizations primarily acting as instrumentalities of the state include entities that may be referred to as state university direct-support organizations. A state university DSO is defined by statute as a not-for-profit Florida corporation “operating in a manner consistent with the goals of the state university and in the best interest of the state.”
What is the State of Florida NICA program and how does it affect me as a physician and my coverage provided by the Self-Insurance Program (SIP)?
Answer: The Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association (NICA) manages the Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Plan (NICA Plan). In general, under provisions of Florida law, the NICA Plan provides compensation for the care of infants born with qualifying neurological injuries and their parent(s). NICA is the exclusive, no-fault, legal remedy for the types of injuries outlined in the statute, if the involved healthcare providers have met the NICA notice and annual financial assessment requirements. Except in limited circumstances, civil lawsuits for medical malpractice may not be brought in cases meeting NICA criteria. The NICA Fund is a State of Florida trust fund supplemented by other government programs and supported by providers through annual fee assessments. Currently, the annual assessment amounts for physicians, except those excluded by certain statutory exceptions, are: $5,000 for obstetricians who wish to become “participating” physicians within the NICA exclusive remedy protections. Obstetricians who do not pay the assessment, and are not otherwise excluded, will not be afforded NICA’s protections, and will be subject to civil lawsuits for medical malpractice. By participating in the NICA Plan, providers help control cost of professional liability coverage for the University’s obstetrical programs. If NICA declines to accept a claim, SIP coverage applies if the care provided was within course and scope of BOT employment and not deemed reckless. A requirement of SIP coverage is that all eligible healthcare providers are active NICA participants and annually provide SIP with current NICA coverage verification.
Additional information related to NICA can be found at the following website link: https://www.nica.com/index.html
Who pays for the NICA assessment?
Answer: Unless excluded by statutory exception, all physicians who are not OB/GYN specialists pay their own assessment of $250 annually. Non-exempt obstetricians must pay annual assessments of $5,000 to become “participating” physicians within the NICA exclusive remedy protections. This assessment is paid annually, by either the physician/physician employer/practice site, and is not a part of SIP premiums. SIP is required to maintain proof of NICA coverage annually for all eligible participants, and will assist in ensuring the NICA assessments are timely paid, if requested.
Students of colleges protected by the SIPs are covered for:
Limits: $1,000,000 per occurrence while engaged in pre-approved course of study or training programs of a protected group and when not subject to the immunity as described in section 768.28, Florida Statutes
Visiting students who are on an approved rotation with a college protected by the SIP must have occurrence-based professional liability insurance, or self-insurance, with limits of no less than $1,000,000 per occurrence/$3,000,000 annual aggregate. Such insurance can be provided by the student individually or through the student’s home institution. If the visiting student’s home institution provides coverage for its students and is a public entity entitled to governmental immunity protections under applicable state law, then the home institution will be expected to provide occurrence-based liability coverage in accordance with any limitations associated with the applicable law. In addition, it will be expected that the home institution provides such insurance with limits of no less than $1,000,000 per occurrence/$3,000,000 annual aggregate in the event governmental immunity protections are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction not to apply.
If a visiting student needs to individually purchase medical professional liability coverage to meet the requirements listed above during her/his visiting rotation, below are links to brokers/carriers offering such coverage. This information is being provided as a courtesy only and is in no way an endorsement of the listed brokers/carriers, nor do we assume any responsibility or liability associated with their actions.
https://www.academicgroup.com/ampi-for-med-students.html
http://www.hpso.com/individuals/professional-liability/student-malpractice-insurance-coverage-description
Protection is subject to the terms and conditions of §768.28, Florida Statutes.
The liability of the BOT for the negligent acts and omissions of its employees and agents committed within the course and scope of their employment is limited to $200,000 per claim or judgment and $300,000 for all claims or judgments arising out of the same incident or occurrence.
The BOT limits of liability may not be stacked, either by the number of providers or the number of state agencies or subdivisions involved in an incident. If, for instance, three physicians are involved in a surgical procedure, one from the BOT, one from the Department of Corrections, and one from the Department of Health, the most that can be paid to a single claimant is $200,000; the most that can be paid to 2 or more claimants is $300,000.
Faculty, residents, clinical fellows, and students are provided protection while on official assignment outside the State of Florida.
BOT employees and agents participating in pre-approved community service activities, or who render emergency care or treatment, do so in their individual capacity and may not be subject to the immunities of § 768.28, F.S. Nonetheless, they are provided individual, personal coverage by their SIP. Please check with your department chair or with SIP Insurance Services for pre-approval requirements and applicable limits of liability.
All SIP coverages are applicable worldwide; they are not restricted to Florida or the United States.
The professional and general liability protection provided by your SIP is occurrence based, meaning the SIP covers a claim based on when it occurred, not when the claim is actually filed, even if they are asserted after your termination date. Accordingly, if an incident occurs within the course and scope of employment with the BOT, the claim is covered by the SIP even if the employee subsequently terminated his/her employment. A student of protected colleges at each university is covered for all clinical rotations and electives that are approved as part of the student’s curriculum.
The described protection applies to the negligent acts and omissions of employees and agents only when acting within the course and scope of officially assigned responsibilities. Protection shall also extend to duly authorized off-campus assignments. However, as noted in §768.28(9) F.S., you do not have immunity or protection with respect to reckless and wanton acts, such as battery or sexual assault. Such conduct is not considered to be within the scope of employment.
All faculty, both part-time and full-time, who desire to engage in external activities, including community service, outside employment or self-employment of any nature, MUST obtain pre-approval of the specific activity. You must complete a request for each separate activity and route the request through the designated process within your college or unit.
When participating in outside employment and activities, you are doing so in your capacity as a private citizen and not as an employee of a state university. As such, you will NOT have SIP coverage/protections extended to you.
When participating in non-paid community service activities, and provided you are not entitled to coverage by the organization in which you are volunteering (e.g., state volunteer coverage and protections), state university BOT healthcare providers may request pre-approval for Community Service coverage through the SIP if the activity furthers the mission of the state university. The pre-approval request form can be found on your university’s Coverage Forms page found under the Protections and Verifications section of the SIP website.
Residents must obtain pre-approval for non-programmatic clinical activities, such as moonlighting at a facility not covered by your SIP.
NOTE: Employee requests to serve as an expert witness testifying against the State of Florida or its agencies or subdivisions, and their primary health care affiliates, represents a prohibited conflict of interest. Specific questions related to these activities should be directed to your university Department of Human Resources, Office of General Counsel, or SIP.
Employees of participating entities have claim protection for their acts as a Good Samaritan as defined by §768.13, F.S., and for when they engage in approved community service activities. A Note of Caution: Protection for community service activities is subject to pre-approval in writing by your department chair, the Dean of your college, and by the SIP Administrator or SIP designee.
The pre-approval request form can be found on your university’s Coverage Forms page found under the Protections and Verifications section of the SIP website.
The Florida Legislature has updated the Sunshine Law (§119.071(5), F.S.) regarding the use, collection, and requests for Social Security numbers by state agencies. Please be advised the use and collection of Social Security numbers are imperative for the performance of SIP legal duties and responsibilities.
In general, medical professional and patient general liability protection for claims and actions which arise from the acts or omissions of University of Florida/UF Health Shands, Florida State University, Florida International University, Florida Atlantic University, and University of Central Florida health care faculty, residents, and employees while acting within the course and scope of their employment, and/or for their students while in an approved course of study or training program, are covered by their respective Self-Insurance Programs created pursuant to the authority of section 1004.24, Florida Statutes. Below is the most frequently requested information specific to these programs and the coverage/protections extended.
Insurance Carrier:
Depending on the healthcare provider’s employer, a provider is covered by one of the five programs listed below.
Insurance Carrier Address, Main Phone and Fax Numbers:
PO Box 112735
Gainesville, FL 32611-2735
(352) 273-7006 -or- 844-MY FL SIP (Office Main Line)
(352) 273-5424 (Facsimile)
Policy #:
N/A (Self-insurance)
Type of Coverage:
Occurrence-based
Limits of Liability:
$100,000 per claim / $200,000 per occurrence / No aggregate (Prior to Oct. 1, 2011)
$200,000 per claim / $300,000 per occurrence / No aggregate (As of Oct. 1, 2011)
Tail Coverage:
Not necessary with occurrence-based coverage
Effective Date:
Practitioner date of hire (XX/XX/XXXX)
Expiration Date:
Practitioner date of termination (XX/XX/XXXX)
If you are in need of an insurance verification or claim history report* specific to a provider covered, or previously covered, by one of the above listed Self-Insurance Programs, you may request this information through the following options:
If you are a covered provider (current or previous) and need assistance completing forms specific to your MPL coverage and actions, we would be happy to assist. Please forward the questions that are being asked of you, and be sure to attach supplemental forms that you need assistance with completing (e.g., Medical Malpractice/Professional Liability Claims Information form), to the appropriate email address as listed under #3 above. Please state “Provider Support Request” in the subject line. Your Insurance Services team will handle your request as soon as possible, but no later than 7 days after receipt.
* NOTE: All requests for claim history reports must include a release from the provider authorizing the SIP to disclose the requested detail. If you are in need of a release to accompany your request, please see the “Release: Provider’s Release of Information” page on our website.
Self-Insurance Programs
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