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Many regulated members’ liability insurance policies expire at the end of the calendar year. As you are required by legislation to have active insurance to legally practice, the College’s system is set up to automatically suspend anyone who does not have valid liability insurance details on their profile. However, over the holiday season and into the New Year, we have received messages from members wanting to know if they can leave their practice permit suspended due to not having valid liability insurance.
While the short answer is yes, it is important to understand what will happen and how that will affect you moving forward. If you do not renew your liability insurance and/or do not update your member portal with an updated insurance policy here is what will happen:
At midnight of the first day of expired insurance, your practice permit status will change from Eligible to Practice to Suspended due to Expired Liability Insurance. This will be placed on your permanent College record and is viewable by both the public and employers via the Verify a Member registry. You will receive a notice from the College of this change in status and that due to legislation as outlined in the Health Professions Act (HPA), you are no longer legally able to practice in Alberta with no valid liability insurance on your record.
The suspended practice permit also means that you are no longer in “good standing” with the College as defined by 3.5 (b) of the Bylaws. The College is also obligated by legislation to notify your employer of any changes to your practice permit status. Furthermore, you will not be eligible to submit a renewal application while your practice permit is suspended.
In order to remove the suspension from your practice permit, you will need to update your member portal with valid liability insurance. If you do not provide valid insurance your practice permit will be cancelled on November 1 and you will have to pay a $400 reinstatement fee if you wish to return to practice in the future.
If you need to purchase a new insurance policy, Lloyd Sadd – Berkley Canada is offering a group rate on liability insurance to all regulated members of the College. The annual premium is $65 + $4 service fee. This coverage does not require an additional membership or fee – just the annual premium. For more information on this liability insurance plan, click here. Additionally, other insurance companies offer policies to members and you are encouraged to consider your policy options
If you have any questions or concerns, please email registration@ABparamedics.com.