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MEDICO LEGAL QUERY “I have been in private practice for 21yrs and am considering my options with regard to the last third of my clinical years. I fortunately have no legal action pending against me. The hot topic of exorbitant medico legal insurance is a major consideration. I have nearly completed putting all my assets into a Trust account with no signing powers in my name. In essence from a financial point of view with all my overheads I am potentially “bankrupt” at any time. I would like to know: 1. Am I legally obliged to have medical insurance, and if so how much and in what form? 2. Have any colleagues decided to stop medical insurance? I have calculated that one would need R100 000.00 for an attorney to represent one at a medical council hearing. Once this process is complete the litigant and prosecuting attorneys will quickly lose interest if the doctor is bankrupt with no “honey pot” to rape! The above scenario is under discussion in theatre tearooms and I would value your input or a legal opinion.
