Insurance coverage dilemma - urgent, advice greatly appreciated!

Hi everyone,

I was all set to pull the trigger on insurance. I ultimately went through Candace Fiscus, an insurance broker, because she seemed to truly understand how to correctly describe my services to the underwriters so I'd be categorized and covered appropriately. I got a quote through Lloyd's of London for professional liability and cyber & privacy, and although it wasn't the cheapest option, I felt it was the only quote I got that actually covered me correctly for patient advocacy work. Previously, another broker compared multiple insurers, including Biberg, and gave me quotes for Coterie and Hiscox, but they weren't accurate.

All of that to say, there is one big issue I found in my final review: insurance and billing advocacy was excluded from coverage. I would not be permitted to do basic bill reconciliation, even calling clients' insurance companies and the billing departments of clients' service providers to make sure claims have been submitted and bills reflect patient responsibility on EOBs. I was told that «coverage for insurance billing is not available under the patient advocacy class of business» and that I would have to independently "pursue a quote under the medical billing classification" from a different insurer, though she's not aware of any markets that provide this. 

Has anyone else ran into this issue, and if so, what solutions did you find? I'd very much appreciate any advice.

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Victoria Victoria Killian 3 days ago
I ran into an issue initially but was told by an insurance broker through my local SBDC that services I was providing would be classified as “secretary” or maybe “consulting”.

I have insurance through BiBerk for professional and general liability with cyber security and marketing coverage. I am classified as “secretarial services”. I even called again this year and told them about my updated job duties and they stated I was still under the correct class. I pay a little over $700 for the year.
AnnMarie AnnMarie Cross 3 days ago
What Victoria shared is what we've heard over and over in the Facebook group.
Rachel L Rachel L Vaughters 3 days ago
I’m not a billing Advocate anymore, but for the past six years, I have used Hiscox Insurance for Errors & Omissions and Business liability insurance. $1 million/$2 million coverage & believe each policy is about $500 a year. At the recent Patient Advocate conference, I went to in MA, I spoke with a few Advocate that don’t have both they just carry errors & omissions insurance. I will probably review my policies.
Bonnie Bonnie Sheeren 3 days ago
I pay for E&O + business, because I do spend a great deal of time with in-person work & the business plan covers me from when I leave my home office. I don’t think remote advocates would need the business plan. I pay $750 for both @$62.50/ month. My agent is Jerry Becerra with Barbary Insurance in SF, CA.
amctest amctest amctest 1 day ago
thanksso much for sharing!
AnnMarie AnnMarie Cross 1 day ago
Thank you!
Erica Erica Bersin, BCPA, CPL 3 days ago
I've had a business for nearly 10 years and I carry $2m/$1m and living in the NYC market your head would explode re: my yearly premium. These are great rates!
Jeff Jeff Byars 2 days ago
It sounds to me like this exclusion would be if you were doing the billing for a physicians office or other healthcare provider. I would seek clarification to make sure they don't think you are actually doing medical billing.

BiBerk has me listed as Healthcare Management Social Services. My rate is based on my annual exposure, which is based on my annual revenue.
AnnMarie AnnMarie Cross 2 days ago
Thanks so much forsharing, jeff! that suggestion makes so much sense.
Rebecca Rebecca Share-Howard 1 day ago
Hi, I appreciate everyone sharing their information and knowledge. There seems to be a great variety of classifications patient advocates fall under. I'm moving forward, thank you all!
Avrom Avrom Fox 2 hours ago
if you have an MSW, you can get insurance through HPSO for a ridiculously low premium