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Malpractice Premium Decreases Outnumber Increases


 

In 2011, physicians were more likely to experience a decrease in their liability insurance premiums than an increase, as they have each year since 2007, according to the American Medical Association.

In 2011, 30.3% of *malpractice premiums decreased compared with 2010, 14.5% increased over the year before, and 55.1% had no change, according to data from an annual survey of major insurers by Medical Liability Monitor.

Looking at the size of the change in premiums for 2011, 2.5% of physicians had a decrease of 10% or more and 27.8% had a decrease of less than 10%. Among physicians with increases, 5.1% had an increase of 10% or more and 9.4% saw their premiums go up by less than 10%, the AMA noted.

The typical policy reported by insurers involved a manual premium (which does not reflect credits, debits, dividends, or other factors that may reduce or increase the actual cost to the physician) and a limit of $1 million/$3 million, the AMA said.

Note: Based on data from the 2008-2011 Medical Liability Monitor Rate Survey issues.

Source: American Medical Association

*Updated 3/13/12

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