Whatever the cost – and it varies hugely around the UK – it’s set to increase by 5.5% in April 2020.

As you will be aware, in April 2019, the NHS employer contribution rose from 14.3% to 20.6% although implementation, for the NHS, was deferred until April 2020.

Now the implementation date is looming.  As a result, your locum costs are set to increase and, unless you use locums who are over pensionable age, or you use a locum agency, it is important to take this change into account when reviewing your locum insurance.

When you receive your renewal invitation from your locum insurance provider, you probably go through the following steps:

• Review who is insured: has anyone left or joined?  Do you need to ask your insurer to add or delete practitioners from your insurance policy?
• Review the sums for which your doctors are insured.  Has anyone reduced or increased their sessions?
• Review locum costs in your area.  Have they changed and does this mean your insurance needs to be adjusted?

It might now be worth considering a new step:

• Increase your doctors’ sums insured by 5.5%

Although it means your locum insurance premiums will probably rise by around the same proportion, it’s probably better than finding yourself underinsured if you need to make a claim.

Author: Natasha Reynolds – Practice Cover