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Although there have been rate drops in malpractice insurance, litigation claims are still high and the push for tort reform doesn’t seem to be making a difference. The Medical Liability Monitor (MLM) has reported a decline in the collective rate of malpractice insurance premiums for medical professionals such as general surgeons, internists and obstetrician-gynecologists. This is amid the reported drop in malpractice litigation claims by as much as fifty percent since the early 2000s, as referenced by the American Medical Association (AMA). Views from medical organizations attribute the premium drop in malpractice insurance to efforts pushing for tough reforms in medical liability tort reform. These tort reforms are said to have an impact on health insurance premiums in general, as it reduced the extent of defensive medicine and medical malpractice premiums. A significant drop in the number of malpractice payments on behalf of physicians has also been noted by the National Practitioner Data Bank for nine consecutive years. The watchdog organization Public Citizen, however, emphasized that malpractice claims have nothing to do with the runaway healthcare costs. President of the AMA Ardis Dee Hoven, MD, suggests that although there have been some noted decreases in premiums of malpractice insurance. However, the decline did not offset the level of increases experienced during the experienced medical liability crisis. Dr. Hoven further stressed that innovations are pushed, such as safe harbors for the practice of evidence-based medicine in order to improve healthcare services and ultimately reduce costs. Recalling the most recent medical liability crisis in 2002, it notably started with the very abrupt increases in insurance premiums to a staggering 10 - 49%, depending on the specialty. Hence, to respond to this crisis, tort reforms have been pushed. The main intention of tort reform is to provide incentives to healthcare service providers who deliver efficient care. On the other hand, any negligent act by the service provider will impose additional costs. However, tort reforms also reduced the liability of health care providers, thus, damage awards are also limited. Patients are indirectly asked to accept restrictions on their legal rights to claim for malpractice damage in exchange for lower medical costs. Evidently, health care consumers believe that the rising cost of health services are correlated with the rising cost of medical malpractice insurance. It’s been a challenge determining the actual root cause of malpractice premiums and whether or not they are directly related to litigation claims. What can be agreed upon, however, is that rates are still relatively high for many healthcare professionals. At this time tort reforms do not appear to be making a difference. Maria Palma is professional writer and blogger. For more information and to request a malpractice quote, visit: www.nexus-insurance.net
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