impaired physicians exclusion
An impaired physicians exclusion is found within the majority of physicians professional liability insurance policy forms eliminating coverage of claims that result from acts committed while a doctor is under the influence of alcohol, narcotics, or other controlled substances.
Additional Information
The rationale for this exclusion is that errors committed by the physician while impaired by these types of substances are within the insured's control and are thus preventable. In effect, this exclusion aims at reducing the moral hazard inherent in insuring doctors who do not seek treatment for a substance abuse problem or addiction.
