Just So You Know
Below is what doctors have to pay yearly for medical malpractice insurance. Enjoy.
Where doctors spend the most — and least — for liability insurance
The medical liability market nationwide held steady in 2012, with overall rates dropping a scant 1.7% over the previous year. But rates that physicians pay vary greatly, depending on the state, county, specialty, insurer and plan.
| Highest internist rates | 2011 | 2012 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida (Dade County) | $47,731 | $47,731 | 0.0% |
| Illinois (Cook, Madison and St. Clair counties) | $40,865 | $40,865 | 0.0% |
| Michigan (Wayne and Oakland counties) | $35,139 | $35,139 | 0.0% |
| Connecticut | $34,700 | $34,700 | 0.0% |
| New York (Nassau and Suffolk counties) | $33,041 | $34,032 | 3.0% |
| Highest general surgeon rates | 2011 | 2012 | Change |
| Florida (Dade County) | $190,926 | $190,926 | 0.0% |
| New York (Nassau and Suffolk counties) | $120,228 | $127,233 | 5.8% |
| Illinois (Cook, Jackson, Madison, St. Clair and Will counties) | $127,083 | $127,083 | 0.0% |
| Michigan (Wayne County) | $142,731 | $121,321 | -15.0% |
| Nevada (Clark County) | $118,125 | $118,125 | 0.0% |
| Highest ob-gyn rates | 2011 | 2012 | Change |
| New York (Nassau and Suffolk counties) | $206,913 | $204,684 | -1.1% |
| Florida (Miami and Dade counties) | $201,808 | $201,808 | 0.0% |
| Illinois (Cook, Madison and St. Clair counties) | $177,441 | $177,441 | 0.0% |
| Connecticut | $170,389 | $170,389 | 0.0% |
| Nevada (Clark County) | $168,750 | $168,750 | 0.0% |
| Lowest internist rates | 2011 | 2012 | Change |
| Nebraska* | $2,381 | $2,381 | 0.0% |
| Minnesota | $3,375 | $3,375 | 0.0% |
| South Dakota | $3,697 | $3,697 | 0.0% |
| Wisconsin | $3,946 | $3,946 | 0.0% |
| California (14 counties) | $3,988 | $3,988 | 0.0% |
| Lowest general surgeon rates | 2011 | 2012 | Change |
| Nebraska* | $8,095 | $8,095 | 0.0% |
| Minnesota | $11,306 | $11,306 | 0.0% |
| South Dakota | $12,569 | $12,569 | 0.0% |
| Wisconsin | $13,813 | $13,813 | 0.0% |
| Kansas* | $17,089 | $14,400 | -14.0% |
| Lowest ob-gyn rates | 2011 | 2012 | Change |
| Nebraska* | $14,286 | $14,286 | 0.0% |
| California (14 counties) | $15,484 | $15,484 | 0.0% |
| Minnesota | $16,449 | $16,449 | 0.0% |
| Wisconsin | $18,154 | $18,154 | 0.0% |
| South Dakota | $19,946 | $19,282 | -3.3% |
* Rate does not include payment to state patient compensation fund.
Source: Medical Liability Monitor Annual Rate Survey, October (medicalliabilitymonitor.com/)
