Health care providers or hospitals are made up of different individuals and businesses. Understanding who these individuals and businesses are is more difficult than one might think.

Health care providers, such as hospitals, are usually governed by a board of directors. The board of directors does not have direct authority over the doctors or staff, but does have authority over administration. The administration does have direct authority over doctors and staff.

For most hospitals, doctors and staff are usually a loose association of physicians. They have their own rules. They are not hospital employees. They have privileges, but act as independent contractors. They do not draw salary from hospital.

Administration includes interns and residents. They have employment contracts with the hospital. They are employees of the hospital.

Understanding who the doctor is, doctors and staff or administration, is usually one of the most important issues raised in medical malpractice cases. Another key issue relates to who had knowledge and control over the doctor and staff or administration. Another issue is who had a duty to supervise, train, or knowledge of the conduct of these individuals. These types of issues can shift civil liability to and away from the hospital and other individuals.

With these concepts in mind, we can now consider a few health care related insurance concepts.