CRICO provides a superior Medical Professional Liability (MPL) insurance program, as well as an extensive collection of patient safety and educational resources. By providing these comprehensive resources, we strive to assist our members in delivering the safest health care in the world. This page will provide you with a brief overview of our MPL services.

What is CRICO?

The CRICO insurance program refers to a group of companies owned by and serving the Harvard medical community, with an established reputation as a leader in evidence-based risk and claims management. For more than 40 years, the CRICO companies have provided industry-leading medical professional liability coverage, claims management, and patient safety resources to its members, proudly serving 15,500 physicians (including residents and fellows), 32 hospitals, and more than 325 other health care organizations.

CRICO refers to several companies, including: Controlled Risk Insurance Company of Vermont, Inc. (A Risk Retention Group), and The Risk Management Foundation of the Harvard Medical Institutions Incorporated with divisions and subsidiaries including: the Academic Medical Center Patient Safety Organization, CRICO Strategies, and the Healthcare Safety Research Institute.

Company and Policy Type

Primary insurance coverage is provided by Controlled Risk Insurance Company of Vermont, Inc.

Amount of Coverage Provided 

Your MPL policy protects you up to $5 million per claim and $10 million annually*for claims made against you for medical negligence. Defense expenses are independent of policy coverage limits.

Sponsoring Institution Coverage

CRICO policies are issued to institutions. Individual physicians, employees, or practice groups are named as insureds under their sponsor’s policy, and are therefore not issued their own policy. CRICO provides physicians with an annual Confirmation of Coverage as evidence of insurance. Non-physician employees (including nurses) are automatically covered under their employer’s policy.

Patient Safety

In addition to managing MPL claims and suits, the CRICO companies also include RMF, a national leader in patient safety. Based on analysis of more than three decades of medical professional data, we have developed educational tools, decision support tools,CME opportunities,and safety initiatives. These programs are available to you as a benefit of your coverage, to provide you with the tools you need to deliver the safest possible care to your patients.

* Physicians employed by entities domiciled outside of Massachusetts may have different limits and coverages. Please contact your employer regarding your coverage.