BMS is producing an ongoing series relating to COVID-19.
- Overview of Canadian case law in relation to mandatory vaccines policies: Vaccination Policies in Workplaces 12/24/2020
- Sample consent form template: COVID-19 Consent to Treatment 06/03/2020
- This article provides practical considerations for determining and communicating the termination of a client relationship. Parting Ways The Right Way – Terminating the Client Relationship 05/27/2020
- This article includes an overview of considerations for health professionals who are able to re-open their businesses. There are also links to provincial resources and information relating to liability.
Considerations When Resuming Practice 05/07/2020 - These are designed to be practical resources to assist organizations in responding to and recovering from the COVID-19 crisis. Included are considerations and tips for items such as internal communications, supply chain impacts and opportunities to improve risk mitigation moving forward.
Business Continuity Planning 04/23/2020,
Risk Management During the COVID-19 Pandemic 04/23/2020 - This article outlines considerations in relation to employer’s obligations and employee’s right to refuse unsafe work. This includes looking at whether refusal to provide PPE constitutes an unsafe workplace and what healthcare providers can do to assess their risk if faced with this situation. COVID-19: Workplace Safety and Rights of Health Professionals to Refuse Work 04/15/2020
- This article provides considerations for health professionals when making clinical and ethical decisions as well as for handling potential confidentiality issues. Ethical Issues for Regulated Health Professionals in the Era of COVID-19 04/03/2020
- BMS has put together a document based on the common questions they are receiving from members: COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions 04/03/2020
- This article outlines crisis management considerations and best practices for organizations of all sizes.: Crisis Management during the COVID-19 Pandemic 03/31/2020
- As many members transition to a Telehealth environmente, BMS has created the attached Telehealth Consent Form: Consent to Use Electronic Communications to Provide Telehealth Services 03/27/2020
- Many retired members are seeking to return to the workforce during COVID-19: Returning to Practice During COVID-19 – Professional Liabilty Insurance Considerations 03/27/2020
- This article is designed to assist health professionals interpret and apply their obligations under PHIPA during a public health emergency: Protecting Privacy in a Pandemic 03/26/2020
- A resource in relation to tele-health: COVID-19: Virtual Health Care Services – Ensuring Continuity of Care 03/19/2020
- Position statement document as it relates to COVID-19 and insurance coverage within the CPA/CPAP program member policies: COVID-19: Insurance Coverage Position Statement 03/19/2020
Any CPA member, or any member of a provincial/territorial association of psychology, who purchased the Clinic/Business insurance package through BMS, in the year ending June 2020, and wishes information or advice about practice disruption coverage as the result of COVID-19, please contact Chris Blom at Miller Thomson cblom@millerthomson.com
Canadian Psychological Association / Council of Professional Associations of Psychologists co-hosted webinar on the current state of COVID-19 Telepsychology & Business Interruption Insurance. Dr. Karen Cohen of the CPA and Dr. Judi Malone of CPAP moderate this presentation by BMS and Gowling.
BMS has provided a paper on ensuring the continuity of care via virtual health care service during the CORONA-19 outbreak.
“In the wake of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), health professionals are exercising all efforts possible to ensure that there is no disruption in service or breakdown in patient care. The Ministry of Health in Ontario has released health-sector specific guidelines to assist health facilities minimize the risk of infection within their respective practices.
Current public health directives advise against direct patient care in non-urgent situations. In these circumstances, health professionals may consider the delivery of health care via tele-practice.” …
Read the full position paper here: https://cpa.ca/docs/File/Insurance/COVID-19_Telehealth Resource_2020 (PSY).pdf
BMS has provided a position statement document as it relates to COVID-19 and insurance coverage within the CPA/CPAP program member policies.
“We continue to work collaboratively with our various stakeholders and partners including your Association to keep you informed during this evolving and unprecedented time.
This letter addresses specific aspects of policies purchased by CPA/CPAP members, including Business Interruption, Commercial General Liability and Professional Liability.” …
Read the full paper here: https://cpa.ca/docs/File/Insurance/COVID-19_Position Statement_CPA CPAP March 19 2020.pdf
As the healthcare industry migrates from paper-based to electronic clinical records, the risks associated with the collection, use and disclosure of personal health information changes. Learn how to reduce your risk from CPA’s insurance program partners. Digital Risk
As we welcome a new decade, CPA’s insurance program partners provide important professional liability tips for health professionals.
Legal Tips
CPA announces a new broker and an improved program for member liability insurance
Psychology Practitioner Liability Insurance: A program for the profession by the profession

We are pleased to announce that members of CPA and provincial/territorial associations now have access to an improved liability insurance program, brokered by BMS Group Inc. BMS replaces McFarlan Rowlands as the exclusive professional liability insurance broker for members of the CPA and provincial and territorial associations. BMS brings a new member-centric perspective to the design and delivery of the psychology insurance program, including significant immediate and long-term benefits to policy holders.
Click here for details on the new liability insurance program.
Click on any of the documents below for additional information
- RISKaware: The BMS Canada Risk Services Ltd. Risk Management and Liability Magazine for the Canadian Psychological Association and the Council of Professional Associations of Psychologists. To access the publication, please log in to the Members’ Only Area: https://secure.cpa.ca/apps/Pages/benefits.
- The Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) and the Council of Professional Associations of Psychologists (CPAP), announce a new broker and an improved program for member liability insurance
- Psychology Practitioner Insurance Program
- Psychology Practitioner Insurance Program – more coverage, less premium
- Psychology Practitioner Insurance Program – Infographics
- What to do in the event of a claim
- Legal advice for members of the Psychology Practitioner Insurance Program