In Need of Medical Malpractice Insurance in Maryland?
If you are a physician needing medical malpractice coverage in Maryland, MEDPLI will work for you as your only trusted broker.
Use the information in this 2024 Buying Guide to get ready to discuss your medical malpractice insurance needs with a MEDPLI insurance broker. Get a quote.
Maryland Medical Professional Liability Insurance Market Summary
Physicians in Maryland have many options for obtaining medical malpractice insurance, but we recommend carriers rated “A” by A.M. Best because of their long-term financial solvency and a history of providing robust financial and legal support for Maryland physicians.
Some of the top-rated medical malpractice insurance companies serving Maryland physicians include:
Malpractice Insurance Rates for Maryland Doctors
This information includes general estimated premiums which can vary greatly based on many factors, such as practice location, medical/surgical specialty, and past claims history. Talk to a MEDPLI broker to get quotes tailored to your unique coverage needs.
| Specialty | Approximate Claims Made Rate | Approximate Tail Rate | Approximate Occurrence Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anesthesiology | $26,000 | $42,000 | $29,200 |
| Cardiovascular Disease Minor Surgery | $32,000 | $54,000 | $36,400 |
| Emergency Medicine | $45,000 | $80,000 | $52,000 |
| Family Practice No Surgery | $25,000 | $18,000 | $31,000 |
| Gastroenterology No Surgery | $27,000 | $44,000 | $30,400 |
| General Surgery | $52,000 | $94,000 | $60,400 |
| Internal Medicine No Surgery | $26,000 | $42,000 | $29,200 |
| Obstetrics and Gynecology Major Surgery | $80,000 | $150,000 | $94,000 |
| Occupational Medicine | $19,000 | $28,000 | $20,800 |
| Ophthalmology No Surgery | $22,000 | $32,000 | $14,200 |
| Orthopedic Surgery No Spine | $47,000 | $84,000 | $54,400 |
| Pediatrics No Surgery | $25,000 | $40,000 | $28,000 |
| Psychiatry | $22,000 | $34,000 | $24,400 |
| Puse No Surgerylmonary Disea | $30,000 | $50,000 | $34,000 |
| Radiology – Diagnostic | $29,000 | $48,000 | $32,800 |
*Using the MD standard limits of $1,000,000 Each Claim / $3,000,000 Aggregate per year in coverage
Each practice risk profile is different, and your rates could vary significantly. MEDPLI specializes in medical malpractice insurance and tail insurance coverage for Maryland physicians and surgeons. To get estimates based on your specific scenario, reach out for a personalized quote. Get a quote.
Types of Professional Liability Insurance for Maryland Physicians
Here is a brief overview of the most common types of medical malpractice insurance for physicians in Maryland:
1. Claims-Made Insurance
Claims-made malpractice insurance provides coverage if the policy is in effect when the incident took place AND when the claim is filed. If a claim is filed after the end of the policy date, the claim is NOT covered.
With a claims-made policy you need tail malpractice insurance, which is a separately purchased insurance policy or endorsement, to make sure you have full protection.
Learn more about claims-made insurance here.
2. Occurrence Insurance
Occurrence malpractice insurance provides coverage for incidents that occurred during the policy year, regardless of when a claim is reported to the carrier.
Occurrence policies are more costly at the start of the policy, but the rate stays the same for the length of the policy, and there is no need for tail coverage when the policy ends.
Read more about occurrence insurance.
3. Tail Insurance
Since most malpractice insurance policies are underwritten on a claims-made basis, you will be exposed to a lawsuit if a former patient files a claim against you and you do not secure tail coverage. When you are preparing to leave your employer, you should seek tail coverage options with an independent broker like MEDPLI.
Tail insurance covers you for a specific time period. The new employer’s policy is not going to cover you for prior acts of a former practice, hence tail coverage is needed.
Read more about tail malpractice insurance for physicians.
Reach out to an experienced MEDPLI insurance broker who will work for you to find a tail policy at a great price.
Maryland’s Damage Caps on Medical Malpractice Lawsuits
Maryland has no caps on economic damages to compensate plaintiffs for past and future medical bills and expenses, funeral expenses, and lost wages, for example.
However, Maryland has legislation in place that caps non-economic damages for pain and suffering (Maryland Courts & Judicial Proceedings Code Section 3-2A-09). The cap limit increases by $15,000 on January 1 of each year and varies by when the injury happened, as shown below:
- For claims arising between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021, the cap will be $890,000.
- For claims arising between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022, the cap will be $905,000.
- For claims arising between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023, the cap will be $920,000.
- For claims arising between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024, the cap will be $935,000.
Wrongful Death Cases
In cases in which wrongful death is alleged by two or more plaintiffs, the total non-economic damages for all alleged actions may not exceed 125% of the applicable non-economic cap limit.
Statute of Limitations for Medical Malpractice Claims
The statute of limitations for medical malpractice in Maryland can be complex and can vary from case to case. Consulting with MEDPLI insurance brokers who understand the ins and outs of this system is an important part of protecting your medical practice with strong medical malpractice insurance coverage.
Medical Malpractice Insurance Outcomes in Maryland
The total malpractice payout in Maryland was $58,560,000 as of 9/30/2023 (Source: National Practitioner Data Bank).
