Ketamine Infusion Therapy is considered high risk, and medical practices that offer it need specialized malpractice insurance policies.
Over the past decade, research on using ketamine as an alternative treatment to medication-resistant mental health disorders and chronic pain has been on the rise. The number of health professionals recognizing the medical benefits of Ketamine infusions has increased, and from 2015 to 2018 alone, the number of clinics specializing in Ketamine Infusion Therapy grew from 60 to 300.
If you are a medical professional offering Ketamine infusions, Intramuscular Ketamine, Ketamine nasal spray, or Ketamine lozenges through your private practice or a specialized clinic, your existing malpractice policy likely doesn’t cover it. An independent medical malpractice insurance broker like MEDPLI is the best way to obtain additional A-rated, competitively priced coverage that is tailored to your practice’s unique needs.
Liability Insurance Information and Rates for Ketamine Clinics
The right medical malpractice insurance will protect healthcare providers from monetary damages and attorney’s fees in the event of a lawsuit. There are a variety of policies available for Ketamine Infusion Therapy. MEDPLI recommends purchasing a Claims-made or Occurrence form policy, rather than a claims-paid policy.
The below estimated annual costs are for information purposes only and based on $1,000,000 per claim / $3,000,000 aggregate limits of liability. Your unique practice needs a custom quote to know the exact costs of your medical professional liability coverage.
To get your personalized rate estimate from MEDPLI, please request a quote.
| Clinic Volume | Premium Estimate |
|---|---|
| Low-volume startup Ketamine Therapy Clinic | $15,000-$20,000 |
| Mid-sized Ketamine Therapy Clinic | $20,000-$30,000 |
| Large Ketamine Therapy Clinic | $35,000+ |
Why You Need Additional Malpractice Insurance for Ketamine Therapy
Ketamine Infusion Therapy, Intramuscular Ketamine, Ketamine nasal spray, and Ketamine lozenges are used off-label and are not approved by the FDA.
Ketamine was approved by the FDA for use in anesthesia in 1970. Today, patients are seeking ketamine therapy treatments for chronic pain and medication-resistant mental health disorders such as depression, PTSD, and anxiety.
Medical Directors, doctors, nurse practitioners, physician’s assistants, anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists, psychiatrists, PMH nurses, psychotherapists, and other healthcare professionals have started to offer ketamine through private clinics or their small and large group medical practices. Patients generally pay out of pocket for this service – most insurers do not cover Ketamine Therapy because of its off label-use.
Using medication off-label comes with increased risk, and the expanded availability of Ketamine Therapy over the past few years has led to the emergence of ketamine-related medical malpractice lawsuits.
Ketamine Therapy is also considered high risk because: